© Oceanwell Expeditionsteam
oceanBASIS: 10 years Protect the Ocean – Episode 2
The Hidden Blue off Tabaoulé
In the second episode of our Protect-the-Ocean expedition – Protect the Ocean is the marine conservation initiative of our natural cosmetics brand Oceanwell – we invite you to dive into the fascinating underwater world off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire. There, we’re witnessing the creation of one of West Africa’s first marine protected areas – and showing how vision, a camera, and a whole lot of idealism turned it into a real “Marine Protected Area.”
A sea full of secrets – right off the shore
Water as far as the eye can see. And beneath it: secrets.
Off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire lies a marine ecosystem few people know. No dive centers, no marine charts, no research stations. Just the roar of the Atlantic – and the sense that something is living down there, perhaps something incredibly valuable.
Our destination is Tabaoulé, a fishing village about 20 kilometers east of Pitiké (see Episode 1 The Queen of the Night). We've heard there are rock formations offshore – home to algae, crabs, fish, maybe even coral. And that’s exactly what we want to see. Our goal is to support our Ivorian friends in establishing a marine protected area that will preserve the natural and human livelihoods of the region for generations. The success of our expedition depends largely on how well we can document the living underwater world.
© Oceanwell Expeditionsteam / Wolf Wichmann
Tabaoulé – beach with rocks continuing into the water
Host City Partner
The Ocean Race Europe 2025
“We may not have a research ship, but we have ideals and salt water in our veins.”
Snorkel instead of research ships
Our gear? Basic. Snorkel, mask, fins – and two underwater cameras. No research ship, but plenty of ideals and saltwater in our veins. Luckily, we have Wolf with us – photographer, adventurer, and master of improvisation. His camera setup is larger than our personal luggage, but the results speak for themselves.
Life underwater world: vibrant, wild, under threat
Below the surface, a vibrant world reveals itself: fan-shaped corals, diverse algae, tiny shrimp, lightning-fast reef fish. Some rocks are covered with sponges and sea anemones – a patchwork of blooming life. And everywhere, light shimmers in hypnotic patterns.
But not everything is idyllic
Illegal fishing by foreign trawlers – often from China – has put this marine ecosystem under pressure. These large ships plow through the 12-mile zone, where only local fishers are allowed to operate. The coastal ecosystems – as we experience firsthand during our dives off Tabaoulé – are vital feeding grounds and nurseries for many fish and marine organisms that coastal communities rely on. Illegal fishing is emptying and destroying these habitats.
Leather corals on rocks
Sea anemone in a rock crevice
And it’s not just the ecosystem that’s at risk – the physical safety of local fishers in their small wooden boats, known as pirogues, is in danger. A recent collision with a trawler claimed the lives of five Fanti fishers – an ethnic group that depends almost entirely on fishing. The coast guard? Powerless. They lack boats, GPS systems, and even fuel to effectively monitor and prove illegal fishing activity.
Fish market in Grand Béréby with Fanti fishers, an ethnic group in West Africa that lives almost exclusively from fishing
A protected area - supported by many
The Ivorian organization CEM (Conservation des Espèces Marines), supported by Oceanwell and the NGO Rainforest Trust, had already been working with local families prior to our expedition to establish a voluntary conservation area on land. Nine Krouman families contributed their lands – sending a powerful message.
The official designation of the Grand Béréby Marine Protected Area is the culmination of years of joint efforts – led by the Ivorian government and supported by the Abidjan Convention, the Swedish government, and most importantly, the local NGO CEM.
Also supporting the establishment of the MPA were:
• Oceanwell (oceanBASIS GmbH, Kiel)
• University of Exeter
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
• Rainforest Trust
• Manfred Hermsen Foundation
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• German partner organisation CEM-Europe which was founded in honour of Olaf Grell. Grell had been personally involved in the protection of the coastal region for many years.
What has been created here is more than just a protected area: it is a living example of how global co-operation and local knowledge go hand in hand - for a sustainable future for the sea.
Dr Levent Piker
Co-Managing Director oceanBASIS
The Oceanwell expedition team consisted of marine biologists Dr. Inez Linke, Dr. Peter Krost, Dr. Levent Piker, Olaf Grell (†),and geologist and photographer Wolf Wichmann. A portion of the proceeds from Oceanwell natural cosmetics supports the marine conservation initiative „Protect the Ocean“ (PTO).
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