Plastic and Marine Debris: A threat to aquatic life in Cameroon

Jabi Katy

Cedric Foqwan was on fieldwork in Ebodje, near Kribi, in Cameroon’s South region, when he encountered a heartbreaking sight: a sea turtle lying lifeless on a beach littered with plastics. The marine scientist who works with the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) examined the species and made a discovery.

“As per AMMCO’s regulations, whenever we encounter a wounded or dead aquatic animal, we make investigations. I performed a necropsy and discovered 23 plastics of varied sorts, lots of papers, and even Maggi seasoning peelings in its stomach,” said Cedric.

When I got in contact with Cedric, he hoped that the new year 2025 would bring in new ideas that would impact sensitization campaigns because when people become aware of the dangers of plastic waste, they will develop the habit of keeping their environments safe.

The dead turtle is not an isolated tragedy. Marine wildlife in Cameroon is increasingly being threatened by plastic pollution and other debris, a reflection of a global crisis. 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone, 17% of which are on the IUCN’s Red List. The United Nations estimates that 8 to 10 million tons of plastic leak into the ocean every year, with devastating effects for aquatic life. Further reports suggest that “by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea.  Sea turtles, in particular, are vulnerable. Mistaking floating plastics for jellyfish, their staple food, many end up ingesting lethal amounts of debris.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), at least 1,000 marine turtles worldwide die annually due to plastic ingestion. Additionally, more than half of all marine turtle species have also consumed plastics.

The sea turtle Cedric, examined in 2024, was just one of them. According to the Marine scientist, this is not the first time he has experienced such. Similarly, in September 2020, a dead female green sea turtle, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, was found in Batoke, South West Region, by members of the fishermen’s network in Cameroon.  Genetic analysis of its flesh and intestines revealed 22 plastics in a just 20-cm section of the intestine. The blockage had torn its digestive tract, leading to its death.  which had blocked the intestine, tore the digestive tract, and thus caused the death of the reptile.

“At least we were able to document those ones, what about the many others we do not know of.? It is a painful situation for me as a conservationist. This clearly tells that we have to do something”.

Ruth Enjema, an environmental advocate in Buea, shares the same sentiments. During a beach cleanup organized by her team from the Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA) in down beach Limbe, South West Region, they encountered a crap wrapped in fishing nets. They also spotted a dead fish with its fins tangled in microplastics. Although they managed to free the crab and returned it to its habitat, Ruth fears for the many marine creatures that aren’t fortunate.

Community-Centered Solutions

According to Enjema, protecting marine wildlife from plastics requires tackling it from the grassroots, the community.

“Majority of the waste comes from the community into the ocean. If we tell them not to dump there, we have to create a very efficient way of waste management. Sometimes they dump it there because they do not even have trash cans, so they don’t even have an alternative. So, I think that creating an effective waste management system is also really important”.

Cyndi Ka-Ng, a young marine scientist who has been working within the Limbe coastline, adds that media sensitization and community education are also key. She has created educational storytelling contents, including an animated cartoon titled “How to be a hero. The Cartoon features characters from Batoke village, to raise awareness on sea turtles and marine conservation.

“Storytelling is a very powerful tool in raising awareness and inspiring community action, “she said. “When you tell people facts, they may forget. But when you tell them a story, something they can connect with emotionally, especially using characters they can recognize, it sticks”.

UN Sustainable Goal 12.5 recommends recycling and reuse as vital and sustainable strategies to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.

A Larger Ecological and Health Concern.

Marine species play critical roles in maintaining the ocean’s balance. Sea turtles, for instance, help sustain coral reefs by feeding on sponges, which can otherwise outcompete corals for space. Healthy coral reefs are essential for fish populations, as many species rely on them for food and breeding grounds.  Hence, healthy corals imply more fish for humans. Sea turtles also control jellyfish populations, which, if left unchecked, can harm both marine life and humans.

Scientists have also raised concerns about human health. Fish that ingest microplastics and chemical additives such as polybrominated diphenyls, bisphenol, and octylphenol may transmit these substances up the food chain. A 2022 study suggests a link between such additives and increased cancer risks in humans.

Also, scientists speculate that the plastics and microplastics ingested by fish, which humans later consume, are one of the primary causes of cancer in recent times. A 2022 study reveals that additives present in micro plastics as Polybrominated diphenyl, bisphenol, octylphenol, and potentially toxic elements, which are consumed by fish, can be harmful to humans.