The Gulf of Guinea Project: Managing mangroves to protect biodiversity in West Africa

The trading patterns around the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa are such that nearly all major cities, harbors, airports, industries and plantations are located in the coastal zone the most densely settled in Africa. This illustrates the significance of the lagoons, estuaries, creeks and inshore waters to the well-being of the population. But pollution from these various sources has affected the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, resulting in habitat degradation, loss of biological diversity and productivity, and degerating human health.