These ecosystems are a foundation of people’s well-being, livelihood, nutrition and culture. They are also vital for social and economic development of coastal communities and countries. However, the coastal and marine living resources and ecosystems are in widespread decline, with a multitude of human activities from small scale fishing to offshore mining having an impact. In order to reverse this trend, the Mami Wata project is working with countries of the Abidjan Convention Region to address human activities in an integrated and holistic way, ensuring that conservation and our various uses are compatible.