Nigeria, Ghana Strengthen Cooperation Against Illegal Fishing

Nigeria and Ghana are strengthening bilateral cooperation on fisheries governance, sustainable fisheries management and the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In a statement by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the visit provided an opportunity for the minister, who is also President of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), to engage with the FCWC Secretariat and the Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre in Tema, Ghana.

The engagement forms part of efforts to advance regional cooperation during Nigeria’s chairmanship of the committee and strengthen collaboration among countries in addressing challenges affecting marine resources.

The statement highlighted Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels as a practical platform for enhanced cooperation with Ghana. The initiative is expected to support the verification of fishing vessel authorisations and facilitate the exchange of relevant information through the FCWC framework.

Meanwhile, Emelia Arthur commended Nigeria for its efforts in combating piracy and the progress recorded in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, pledging her country’s full cooperation with Nigeria to address the challenge and promote sustainable fisheries management across the region.