Muanda Ocean Watch Congolese Coast Monitoring
Illustrated Atlantic coastline and plastic monitoring points at Muanda

Muanda Ocean Watch

Protecting Muanda's Coast: Science for a Cleaner Atlantic

Microplastic Pollution and Zooplankton Biodiversity Monitoring on the Congolese Coast.

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Welcome

Welcome to Muanda Ocean Watch

The coastal and estuarine ecosystems of Muanda are rich in biodiversity and vital to local livelihoods, yet they remain among the least scientifically documented marine environments in Africa.

Plastic and microplastic pollution, combined with gaps in biodiversity data, poses a growing threat to food safety, public health and ecosystem function. This project brings together Congolese and German researchers, fishing communities, women fish processors, government authorities and civil society to build knowledge, tools and partnerships for evidence-based coastal management.

Featured baseline

"The first integrated scientific baseline on microplastic pollution and marine invertebrate biodiversity in the Muanda coastal zone."

3Ocean Decade objectives
10+Scientific and community outputs
40%+Women among training participants
1Local marine pollution observatory
8Key partner institutions
1stMicroplastic baseline for the DRC coast

Fieldwork in focus

Research on the water

Direct observation and careful sample collection connect Muanda's coastal environment to laboratory evidence and long-term monitoring.

Researchers collecting a water sample from a boat in Muanda
Coastal samplingCollecting field samples from Muanda's waterways.
Researcher handling a plankton sampling net from a boat
Plankton monitoringPreparing sampling equipment during a field survey.
Collected aquatic specimens in a field sample container
Specimen reviewDocumenting collected aquatic organisms for analysis.

Focus areas

What We Do

Laboratory analysis illustration

Science & Monitoring

Baseline assessment of microplastics in water, sediments and marine organisms, alongside morphological and DNA-based biodiversity surveys.

Georeferenced coastal monitoring map illustration

Mapping & Data

Pollution hotspot maps, open datasets, DNA barcode sequences in BOLD and GenBank, and standardized monitoring protocols.

Training workshop illustration

Capacity Development

Training modules for students, researchers, public officials, fishermen and women fish processors, from sampling to science-policy communication.

Community stakeholder meeting illustration

Community & Policy

Co-designed research, a multi-stakeholder local observatory, policy briefs and science-policy dialogues for coastal governance.

From evidence to action

Clean oceans, healthy biodiversity and resilient coastal communities.

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