Wongibe Poupezo Dieudonne (He/Him)

Student | Field Ecologists , Aquatic Environmental Management Association (AQUAMEN) | African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO)

About Wongibe Poupezo Dieudonne

I am a dedicated marine and freshwater biologist currently pursuing my PhD, focusing on wildlife conservation and sustainable fishing practices. My academic journey has been deeply rooted in understanding the complexities of marine ecosystems and the challenges they face.

I completed my MSc with a thesis on the West African Manatee (T. Senegalensis), where I investigated the mechanisms of bycatch through different gillnet configurations. This study not only mimicked the daily fishing activities of local fishers but also provided valuable insights into the interactions between manatees and fishing gear. My findings revealed new species involved in bycatch, as well as the primary causes of fish damage, ultimately suggesting the best gillnet configurations to minimize bycatch.

In my PhD program, I am expanding my research to identify and map bycatch sites along the coast of Cameroon. My current projects include analyzing various pollutants found in sharks and rays, understanding the effects of these pollutants on the health and genetics of these species, and determining their age to better comprehend their life cycles and conservation needs.

I am passionate about reducing bycatch and promoting sustainable fishing practices. As part of my conservation activities, I will be training local fishermen on best releasesing practices, which involve techniques to safely release life bycatch back into the water, and educating them on how to effectively use GPS technology to monitor and manage their fishing activities.

I believe that community engagement is crucial for successful conservation efforts. I invite community members and local stakeholders to join me in these important initiatives. Together, we can work towards protecting our marine ecosystems and ensuring sustainable fishing for future generations. Thank you for your interest in my work!. I look forward for collaboration as I still find difficulties in having a laboratory for analysis. Thanks🙏 

Which category below best describes the type of organisation you currently work for/or run?

Academic or Research Institute

Areas of expertise

Education & training Fundraising Human resources Land/Water Management Monitoring and evaluation Other Partnerships and collaboration development Project/programme management Research Species Management

Would you be willing to be approached and share your lessons learned in your area(s) of expertise with our community?

Yes

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Yes

Are you currently signed up for one of our WildTeam training courses? Please select "No" if you are not signed up, or choose the course you are registered for below.

2. Project Management for Wildlife Conservation

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Hello - @Yanna Vogiazou. It's just so impactful up there. Please  do you offer any courses on WildHub on this, or could you share any materials related to this or if you might be open to mentoring on similar initiatives???. Thanks 

Thanks very much @Yanna Vogiazou. I will do so. Thanks for sharing 

Hello - @Yanna Vogiazou. It's just so impactful up there. Please  do you offer any courses on WildHub on this, or could you share any materials related to this or if you might be open to mentoring on similar initiatives???. Thanks 

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the MOOC @Madeleine  I accessed through WildHub. It was incredibly valuable and insightful, providing me with a wealth of knowledge. I truly appreciate the effort put into creating such a resource. Thank you, WildHub, for facilitating this enriching experience!

Indeed I will like to have more of such MOOC.

Hello, how can I et registered for this course program? I'd like to be part. 

Regards 

Thanks very much @Thirza Loffeld . I did drop her a mail.

Hello, seniors. Thanks for this opportunity, indeed I appreciate all the opportunities provided by WildHub. Indeed they are unique.

Hello, how can I et registered for this course program? I'd like to be part. 

Regards 

I will like to be part of this. Thought I got the basics, I would like to improve on my skills in data analysis using R 

Thanks for sharing I strongly believe this will be of great help to me in future, and especially for writing grants and my Thesis. 

Thanks for having interest in knowing what my thesis is all about. Here is a summary 

My PhD thesis focuses on understanding the impacts of bycatch and pollution on shark and ray populations along the Cameroon coastline. It aims to address critical gaps in knowledge regarding the interactions between these anthropogenic pressures and the genetic diversity, population structure, and connectivity of elasmobranch species.

The research is organized into four main components:

Bycatch Analysis: Engaging local fishers to collect data on the spatio-temporal patterns of shark and ray bycatch, identifying and map out Bycatch hotspots, and assessing the influence of environmental factors and fishing practices, including determining the ages of Bycaught species 

Pollutant Assessment: Investigating types and concentrations of pollutants (like heavy metals and pesticides) in elasmobranch tissues, along with their health effects and potential correlation with vulnerability to gillnet entanglement.G

enetic Study: Examining the genetic diversity and population structure of key species, such as Hammerhead sharks and Stingrays, to understand variations across different regions.

Integrated Approach: Analyzing how bycatch and pollutants affect genetic connectivity among species, including their combined impact on genetic diversity and resilience.

My research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the threats facing sharks and rays, ultimately informing effective conservation strategies and management policies. By contributing to the understanding of these species’ ecological roles, this thesis seeks to promote the long-term survival of elasmobranch populations in Cameroon and serve as a model for similar studies in other coastal regions.

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