Status of Large Marine Flagship Faunal Diversity Within Cameroon Estuaries of Central African Coast - The Land/Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone of West and Central Africa - page 99

teams of eco-watchers according to tidal conditions to
observe and identify females laying eggs on the beaches.
Biometric data were also collected on sea turtles (curved
carapace length and curved carapace width) during patrols
and those caught incidentally in nets and observed during
the return of fishermen from sea recorded on cards pre-
established

1977 ; Maclean 1988 ; Sinclair et al. 1993 ; Girard 1998 ). Prior
to the beginning of the census in March 1999, the river was
divided into five sections following the settlement villages
with all sandbanks and vegetated islands mapped and allo-
cated identification numbers including an estimate of their
areas. These sites were then monitored (100 % counts)
monthly following standard bird census techniques (Bibby
et al. 1992 ; Dodman et al. 1997 ; Girard 1998 ). Monthly data
collected include the following: species data (waterbird
species, other bird species and animals); meteorological data
(temperature and rainfall) from CWCS weather station near
the river; sandbank status data, i.e. disappearance (area
monitoring); and human activity data (wetland use).

according to the KUDU-Program standard

protocols. We also noted all ringed live turtles with

MONEL ECO tags used in the Gulf of Guinea.
The data were also collected in the morning on the tracks
and prints of turtles on the beaches; different turtle's nests
with some eggs transplanted in hatcheries. Evaluation of
human impacts was carried out by surveys through fisher-
men capture questionnaires and search for carapaces in
homes and museums.

Data Analysis

Marine Mammals
Beach surveys coverage on foot totalled 784 min and
30.52 km. At least one observer walked along the high
waterline so as to maximize distant view, while simulta-
neously allowing close inspection for cetacean skeletal
material among flotsam. Every few minutes, the sea was
scanned with 8 9 40 mm binoculars. Prior knowledge of the
small-scale geography of coastal stretches is essential for
effective beach surveying. Cameroon's beaches are widely
interspersed with rocky formations as well as with small and
larger freshwater outflows which are often difficult, or time-
consuming, to cross or circumvent. At high tide, dense
vegetation at the high waterline can obstruct passage.
Five small-boat outings were implemented using both
indigenous wooden canoes and a small open fibreglass boat.
Duration of visual survey effort was 1,008 min, with
259.1 km distance covered. Traditional canoes are ubiqui-
tous in Cameroon and the most economical way to get onto
the water. The main drawbacks are poor stability and
velocity, low height above sea level (especially the smaller
canoes) allowing adequate view only under optimal sea
conditions. A fibre glass boat, equipped with a 40 hp out-
board motor, was found to be the most functional and safest
platform for inshore work.
Some 18 ports and smaller fish landing sites were visited
and checked for evidence of cetacean catches and landings.
When direct evidence (carcasses, bones) was lacking, fish-
ermen were interviewed about the presence of cetaceans
and by-catches.

Data were compiled, analysed and presented using simple
descriptive statistics, especially frequencies of species and
abundance and threat status.

Results and Discussions

Species Status and Indices of Abundance

Sea Turtles
From our surveys, four species of sea turtles were identified
and common along Cameroon coastline: Dermochelys
coriacea, Lepidochelys olivacea, Chelonia mydas and
Eretmochelys imbricata. If the first two species are there for
nesting activities, the last two are present in this area for
feeding activities although Chelonia mydas rarely nest

(Ayissi et al. 2006c ).

Marine Mammals

(1) Cameroon dolphin
The Atlantic humpback dolphin Sousa teuszii was
observed in Cameroon despite the 119 years since the
species' discovery. The definition of the ''Cameroon Estu-
ary stock'' (Van Waerebeek 2003 ), derived from the spe-
cies' type location, implied such a premise. This specie was
confirmed on 17 May 2011: at 11:05 a.m. we sighted and
photographed a small group of about 10 (min. 8-max. 12)
Atlantic humpback dolphins near Bouandjo, at
N0228.708 0 , E0948.661 0 . Some individuals showed a
strongly developed dorsal hump, while others, thought to be
juveniles, had only a faint indication of a hump.
(2) Humpback whales
Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae are season-
ally present for calving and breeding in waters of several
coastal nations in the Gulf of Guinea, ranging west from

Waterbirds
Waterbird census were done monthly (first Thursday and
Friday of each month starting at 6.30 a.m) within 20 km of
R. Sanaga length starting some 6 km from its mouth, 2
distributaries and a lake (Lake Tissongo) by CWCS Project
staff using a 15 hp motorised canoe, binoculars, telescopes,
measuring tapes, GPS and identification manuals (Serle et al.