The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is endemic to tropical and sub-tropical near-shore waters of western Africa, with an assumed historic range between southern Morocco and central Angola. Current evidence suggests that remaining animals are limited to 8 or 9 sub-populations in 9 African states with limited or no connectivity between them. Current estimates of population size suggest that none of the remaining sub-populations exceeds a few hundred animals (Van Waerebeek & Perrin 2007). The species occupies an obligate, inshore, shallow-water niche, including some large estuaries and mangrove systems, and it is probable that the species was never abundant. While there are no published estimates of their current abundance, available evidence suggests a precipitous decline in numbers across the range, a highly fragmented distribution and many documented threats. Catches by fishermen (both targeted and accidental), habitat loss and anthropogenic disturbance are considered the principal factors responsible for the species’ decline. Given a general absence of effective monitoring and law enforcement, long-term, range-wide prospects for the species are grim and their fate is of enormous conservation concern (Weir et al 2011). Without immediate, sustained and effective conservation measures the species risks extirpation in many areas. Human population densities are extremely low in Gabon and Congo, and coasts here may represent one of the last great hopes for this species. These waters are one of only two places (the other being Senegal-Gambia) where the species is known to move between countries. The species has been the subject of extensive discussions by IUCN, CMS and the IWC. The IUCN CSG (Cetacean Specialist Group) appropriately tagged S. teuszii as a “high priority for research and conservation because of its restricted range, narrow ecological niche, generally low abundance, and continuing threats” (Reeves et al., 2003). Their Red-List status was last reviewed in 2008 and amended from Data Deficient to Vulnerable; in 2010 the IWC Scientific Committee recommended a revision of this status to Endangered. At the ninth Conference of the Parties, CMS member states voted to include Sousa teuszii on CMS Appendix 1, and the species is central to the regional CMS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia. Associated with this MOU is the SCAP in which the Atlantic humpback dolphin is central. Specific research and conservation needs listed here deliberately echoe those in the 2010 report of the IWC Scientific Committee, which states: “6.3.6 Conclusions and consideration of status: The sub-committee agreed that there was ample evidence for serious concern about the conservation status of this species [Sousa teuszii] (SC/62/SM6, SC/62/SM9, SC/62/SM10). Although quantitative data or even good qualitative data (e.g. confirmation of species presence or absence) are lacking for much of the known or suspected range, the information available from areas where cetaceans have been consistently studied (e.g. Ghana, Guinea) indicates that overall population is fragmented, bycatch (if not also directed catch) is occurring, and habitat conditions are deteriorating. Populations in Gabon and northern Congo appear healthy, but recently documented bycatches in Congo may be indicative of a growing reliance on non-fish marine wildlife, including dolphins.” The species is also listed on lists of integrally protected species in both Gabon and Congo. In 2008, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) started the 'Atlantic Humpback Dolphin Conservation Project.' Efforts focus on Gabon and Congo, where protected coasts offer hope for the species, and where WCS recently launched the ‘Congo Basin Coast’ program (CBC), a comprehensive conservation project that focuses on the unique assemblage of habitats and species of the Central West African coast. Gabon and Congo include some of the most intact coastal humpback dolphin habitats in West Africa and research suggests that in less disturbed areas (such as within the boundaries of coastal National Parks) the humpback dolphins occur in natural densities. The goal of the project is to conserve healthy and biologically functional populations of humpback and other coastal dolphins (bottlenose dolphin and common dolphin) through active research, outreach and capacity building. Specific project objectives of are to: • Estimate the abundance humpback dolphins in the CBC and refine scientific methods for robust and cost-effective assessment that can be applied in other areas of the species range; • Characterise the distribution and habitat preferences of coastal dolphins in the CBC, including identification of critical habitat; • Assess and mitigate key threats to the long term health of coastal dolphins in the CBC; • Raise awareness of the species amongst coastal fishermen and limit the takes' of dolphins in coastal gillnets; and • Train key personnel (including national park and fisheries managers) in research and conservation methodologies. The project began work in earnest during early 2009 and very quickly identified areas of prime dolphin occurrence. Early successes include the first record of the species in the Republic of Congo and confirmed movement of individuals across the international border with Gabon. This finding, together with high densities of nesting leatherback and olive ridley turtles, led to the bilateral creation of the Park Transfrontaliere de Mayumba-Conkouati, the first transboundary marine protected area (MPA) in Central West Africa and a specific recommendation of the CMS SCAP. Although research for this species has included the coastlines of all coastal protected areas in Gabon and Congo, work has recently focused in Conkouati-Douli NP following the discovery of a series of accidental takes in coastal artisanal fishing nets. A single capture was recorded in 2009, followed by 5 recorded captures in 2011, and another two so far in 2012. These have given sharp focus to our current efforts, and recent work includes direct liaison and outreach with coastal fishing communities in Conkouati, including an assessment of catches, net locations and fishing effort. Given records of reasonably large schools observed in 2007 and 2010, these captures have to be recent. The species is totemic in the local tradition, and deaths require appeasement of ancestors and an elaborate ceremony. The principle causal factor identified is the recent incursion of small trawlers into the national park. These vessels fish indiscriminately, and their area of operation includes inshore waters where they also damage and destroy artisanal nets. The response of artisanal fishers has been to move nets inshore where (we suspect) they capture many more dolphins.