Eutrophication and Public Health Safety on the Cameroonian Coast: Building an Early Warning System through the GEM Program

On the Cameroonian coastline, eutrophication has evolved from a mere aesthetic concern into a major biogeochemical crisis threatening public health. The industrial expansion of the Kribi hub, coupled with a lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure, has led to the nutrient saturation of coastal waters. This excessive loading of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) is the primary driver of ecological imbalance in the region.Our research focuses on the critical consequences of this hyper-eutrophication: water deoxygenation and, most significantly, the emergence of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Fueled by continuous nutrient inputs, these blooms introduce potent toxins into the marine food web, exposing local communities to severe poisoning risks through seafood consumption.To mitigate this threat, Cameroon joined the Global Eutrophication Monitoring (GEM) program in 2024 via APCAM, an initiative of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Ocean Observation Action Group. Utilizing the "GEM-in-a-Box" technology kit, the ambition is established strategic monitoring stations across estuaries, rivers, and bays along the southern coast with the support of Specialized Research Station for Marine Ecosystems through the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) based in Kribi. This presentation demonstrates how rigorous monitoring of N and P cycles enables the modeling of sanitary risks. Our findings aim to transition biogeochemical surveillance into a functional early warning system, ensuring the health and food security of populations dependent on the resources of the Gulf of Guinea.