CONSORTIUM WILLIAM

Vision

Consortium William seeks to transform understanding of Atlantic migratory corridors by centering marine megafauna as the vector of research. The consortium supports change by enabling NGOs and governments to understand why these corridors must be protected and how safeguarding them will sustain communities. Outreach and collaboration with countries are central to this work. Protecting these pathways will safeguard species, strengthen coastal livelihoods, and provide the evidence base for effective international governance under the High Seas Treaty.

Consortium William

Consortium William was established from Project William (Mission William – Over the swell) and the work initiated by Over the Swell. Project William began as a targeted effort to understand and protect whale sharks in the south Atlantic from Saint Helena to the Gulf of Guinea. Over the Swell expanded this work by connecting local communities, researchers, and governments to highlight the importance of migratory pathways across the Atlantic.

From these beginnings, Consortium William has grown into a collaborative network of partners and supporters from the United Kingdom, Cape Verde, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, St Helena, Angola, and the United States. This broad alliance reflects a shared recognition that the Atlantic Ocean’s marine migratory corridors are a lifeline for species and for the communities that depend on them.

Atlantic Marine Migratory Corridors

Marine megafauna such as whale sharks, turtles, and other large species travel vast distances across the Atlantic. Their movements reveal the ecological connections between islands, coastal states, and high seas areas. These corridors are not yet fully understood, but they are increasingly threatened by the growth in shipping lanes, unsustainable and illegal fishing, climate change, and pollution.

Local communities rely on the productivity of these corridors and the ecosystems they connect for food security, cultural identity, and sustainable livelihoods. By focusing research on megafauna, the consortium generates knowledge that informs wider ecological management, including migratory tuna and other commercially important fish stocks. Protecting these corridors is therefore both a scientific and a social priority.

Goals and Aims

Consortium William’s management policy is built around clear objectives:

Support countries in sustainable management of marine ecosystems by working with local governments and NGOs.
Establish a high seas safe corridor in the southeast Atlantic, based on scientific evidence of megafauna migratory pathways.
Advocate for sustainable fishing methods in exclusive economic zones and international waters, supporting legislation to protect threatened species and reducing the impact of fisheries and marine traffic.
Raise the international profile of transboundary protected areas, engaging coastal states and the United Nations to deliver effective governance and meet commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Assist governments in developing Blue Economy strategies, ensuring sustainable financing for long term management.
Document population status and threats, producing conservation strategies for priority megafauna species shared across partner nations, while using these findings to inform wider ecological management including migratory tuna.
Investigate illegal fishing activity through monitoring of vessel tracking systems, reporting infringements and raising awareness with local, regional, and international institutions.
Represent the consortium at international conferences to engage the wider community and promote successful models of conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Grow the consortium to strengthen international collaboration and build sustainable protection for these key oceanic systems.