Blue Economy
Nigeria Pilots the Fight Against Illegal Fishing in Gulf of Guinea
Nigeria has agreed to serve as the pilot country for the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels in West Africa, marking a major step in the fight against illegal fishing and in strengthening marine governance across the Gulf of Guinea.
Announcing the decision in Abuja, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), said the move reflects Nigeria’s commitment to turning regional leadership into practical action for sustainable fisheries management.
The register will create a verified database of industrial fishing vessels—both foreign and national—authorised to operate in FCWC member states. It is designed to boost transparency, accountability, and cross-border cooperation in a region heavily impacted by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Nigeria’s pilot phase will test feasibility, identify operational gaps, and generate lessons for wider regional rollout. Dr. Oyetola pledged that Nigeria would share its experience to guide other member states, stressing that collective action is essential to protect fisheries resources and livelihoods in the Gulf of Guinea.
Complementary efforts include joint patrols under the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme, and Nigeria’s updated National Plan of Action on illegal fishing, underscoring its determination to curb illicit activities.
The FCWC, established in 2007, brings together six countries—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo—to harmonise fisheries legislation, enhance monitoring, and promote a sustainable blue economy.