Big Waves Meet Biodiversity: Why Surfing Paradises Could Offer a Key Opportunity for Marine Conservation

Conservation ecologist Grégoire Touron-Gardic and colleagues published research demonstrating that West African coastlines—particularly in Senegal and Liberia—offer pristine surf breaks that overlap with biodiverse marine ecosystems. The study maps locations where protecting wave breaks could simultaneously safeguard coastal habitats, fisheries, and recreation.

This is a mapping and strategic opportunity study; actual protection depends on implementing marine reserves and enforcement in the identified regions.