Pro-CAMPO

The Project to Support Participatory Marine Conservation and Adaptation for Oceans

The Project to Support Participatory Marine Conservation and Adaptation for Oceans (Pro‑CAMPO) is a transboundary conservation initiative that addresses the ongoing degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Campo landscape, shared between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. This marine degradation threatens biodiversity, critical marine habitats, food security, ecological resilience, and the livelihoods of local communities that depend heavily on marine resources.

The project aims to operationalise and strengthen two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): the Manyange na Elombo‑Campo Marine National Park in Cameroon and the Rio Campo National Park in Equatorial Guinea, through improved governance, strengthened protection and surveillance systems, ecosystem restoration, enhanced community resilience, and increased civil society engagement.

At its core, Pro‑CAMPO adopts a transboundary, participatory, and multisectoral approach. The project closely aligns with national, regional, and international commitments related to biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and blue economy strategies in both countries.

The African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMCO), in collaboration with its partners – the Community Research and Development Association (TUBE AWU), Amigos de la Naturaleza y Desarrollo de Guinea Ecuatorial (ANDEGE), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon (MINFOF), and the delegated Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forests, Fisheries and Environment of Equatorial Guinea – pursues the overall objective of reversing the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Campo landscape and establishing sustainable foundations for the long‑term maintenance of natural capital and marine biodiversity.

The project is based on the principle that sustainable conservation will be achieved if the following actions are carried out: strengthening the legal and institutional governance of the MPAs, improving the protection and surveillance of marine resources, strengthening the resilience of communities and local authorities, and combating illegal fishing activities.

To achieve these objectives, the project will restore degraded ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries and sea turtle nesting sites, while strengthening ecological monitoring. These interventions should improve the conservation status of marine and coastal habitats. Fisheries productivity should also improve through habitat rehabilitation and reinforced management measures.

Equally important is community resilience. Pro‑CAMPO will support sustainable income‑generating activities, finance community‑led economic initiatives, build essential social infrastructure in the peripheral zones of the parks, and strengthen local capacities for climate change adaptation. By promoting a locally driven blue economy and strengthening community participation in marine governance, the project aims to reduce pressure on marine resources while improving livelihoods, food security and economic stability. The empowerment of women and the inclusion of youth are central components of these efforts.

Funded by the European Commission, the project will also establish operational transboundary collaboration between the two parks, supported by harmonised management and surveillance plans. Strengthened coordination between conservation services, judicial authorities, security forces and administrative bodies will improve law enforcement capacities and environmental governance.

Overall, Pro‑CAMPO is a large‑scale initiative designed to ensure the long‑term sustainability of marine biodiversity in the Campo landscape. Through governance strengthening, improved surveillance, ecosystem restoration, community resilience development, and inclusive partnerships, the project protects critical marine ecosystems while creating sustainable opportunities for local populations.