Republic of the Congo
International or regional conventions
The Republic of the Congo is a member/signatory to the following international or regional Conventions related to cetacean conservation:
- International Whaling Commission (since 2008)
- Convention on Migratory Species (since 2000)
- The Abidjan convention
- Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia
Confirmed observations
(taken from Weir and Collins, 2015) “All records in Congo originate from the northern part of the country, with the vast majority (n=202) occurring within the Conkouati-Douli National Park. Records are distributed throughout monitored sections of the coast, with clusters (sightings and bycatch) at the fishing camps of Niandji, Lifelo, Mvandji, Bondi and Longobondi. These relate to beach patrols along the coast and reports from a network of fishermen. The southernmost records for Congo are currently documented from the fishing village of Belelo (~4°22’ S).”
Threats and trends
Bycatch was documented regularly in artisanal gillnet fisheries.
Sousa tueszii calf killed in a coastal gillnet in Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo. ©Tim Collins, Wildlife Conservation Society
Report
Report a sighting or stranding to the first contact listed below or by emailing info@sousateuszii.org
Contact person
Nathalie Miansenko, Renatura
direction@renatura.org
Tim Collins
Relevant country-specific references
- Collins, T., 2015. Re-assessment of the Conservation Status of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii), Using the IUCN Red List Criteria. In Advances in marine biology Volume 72, pp. 47-77). Academic Press.
- Collins T, Boumba R, Thonio J, Parnell R, VanLeeuwe H, Ngouessono S, Rosenbaum H. 2010. The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii ) in Gabon and Congo: cause for optimism or concern? Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, SC/62/SM9: 19.
- Collins, T., S. Strindberg, R. Mboumba, E. Dilambaka, J. Thonio, C. Mouissou, R. Boukaka, G. K. Saffou, L. Buckland, R. H. Leeney, R. Antunes, and H. Rosenbaum. 2013. Progress on Atlantic humpback dolphin conservation and research efforts in Congo and Gabon. Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission SC/65a/SM16 Rev:24.
- Van Waerebeek, K., Barnett, L., Camara, A., Cham, A., Diallo, M., Djiba, A., Jallow, A.O., Ndiaye, E., Bilal, A.O. and Bamy, I.L., 2004. Distribution, status, and biology of the Atlantic humpback dolphin, Sousa teuszii (Kukenthal, 1892). Aquatic Mammals, 30(1), pp.56-83.
- Weir CR, Collins T. 2015. A Review of the Geographical Distribution and Habitat of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii). In: Jefferson TA, Curry BC editors. Advances in Marine Biology Volume 72: Humpback dolphins (Sousa spp.) current status and conservation: Part I. Academic Press. p. 79-117.