The Gulf of Guinea as a large marine ecosystem

Over the last ten years or so, researchers and managers have become increasingly interested in the concept of large marine ecosystems as geographic units for improving the understanding, assessment and management of marine resources. In the Gulf of Guinea, a project to improve the health and resources of the regional ecosystem has mobilized a range of national, regional and international bodies. Activities include the assessment and control of land-based sources of pollution, restoration of degraded mangroves, systematic surveys of marine resources and institutionalization of GIS based decision making support systems.