Limbe, Cameroon | September 2026
The coastline of Limbe became a centre of collective environmental action on 19 September 2026, as the Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA) organized the International Coastal Cleanup 2026 under the theme “SEA THE CHANGE.”
The cleanup brought together 500 participants, including volunteers, fishermen, community members, government representatives, students, media and environmental stakeholders across Down Beach A, Down Beach B, Down Beach C and Bota Beach.
ASCOA has coordinated the International Coastal Cleanup in Cameroon since 2018 in collaboration with Ocean Conservancy, and this year’s campaign continued that long-standing commitment to tackling marine debris and promoting healthier coastal communities.
Turning Community Action into Measurable Impact
The cleanup resulted in 52,123 pieces of waste collected from the four sites, while 15,067.78 kg of waste was weighed.
Beyond the numbers, the cleanup provided an opportunity to better understand the sources and impacts of marine debris. Fishing community representatives shared how waste in the ocean damages fishing nets and affects their livelihoods, while discussions with environmental authorities and other stakeholders highlighted the need for stronger prevention, awareness and waste management measures.
More Than a One-Day Cleanup
- For ASCOA, ICC 2026 was not simply about removing waste from the coastline. Ahead of the cleanup, the organization engaged fishermen, the Beach Master, HYSACAM and the Regional Delegation of Environment to strengthen community awareness, improve cleanup planning and explore longer-term approaches to marine pollution.
- The campaign also included an advocacy football match, coordinator training and a volunteer orientation to prepare participants and build awareness around marine conservation.
- The message from these engagements was clear: coastal protection requires continuous collective action.
A Shared Commitment to the Coast
- ASCOA expresses its sincere appreciation to Ocean Conservancy for its tremendous support to the International Coastal Cleanup in Cameroon, both in 2026 and throughout the years.
- We also appreciate the Regional Delegation of Environment, Limbe City Council, HYSACAM, the fishing community, coordinators, volunteers, media partners and the ICC 2026 organizing committee for their contributions.
The cleanup may have lasted a day, but the responsibility to protect our coastline continues.
Together, we must SEA THE CHANGE.