I am a conservationist with about a decade of experience focused on preserving and restoring natural ecosystems and species across West and Central Africa. Currently, I serve as a Programme Officer at IUCN in Dakar, where I manage the West and Central Africa component of the SOS African Wildlife initiative, overseeing grant lifecycles and project monitoring. My background spans roles with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon, TRAFFIC International, and WWF, giving me a versatile skill set in law enforcement, wildlife crime monitoring, and field bio-monitoring.

Wiem Boussellaa is a dedicated marine biologist researcher from Tunisia, specializing in marine conservation and the management of marine ecosystems. With a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, Wiem has contributed significantly to projects aimed at preserving marine life. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Naples, Italy, their work focuses on the energy expenditure and ecology of sea turtles during swimming. Wiem has held key roles in various marine conservation projects, including the Life MedTurtles project at the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax and the Deep Blue project with OGS. As a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and a project manager for the Tunisian Taxonomy Association (ATUTAX), Wiem has actively participated in the fight against ghost fishing and has been instrumental in developing a National Code of Conduct for Ghost Gear Management in Tunisia. Throughout their career, Wiem has authored several publications on marine ecosystems and conservation and has been recognized for several innovative contributions to the field. With extensive experience in project management, scientific research, and international collaboration, they continue to drive impactful conservation efforts within the Mediterranean region.