Photo: ECOWAS/FIS

Tackling the West African Fishing Crisis: Experts Convene to Combat IUU Fishing

IVORY COAST
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

Côte d’Ivoire Hosts Regional Meeting to Strengthen Ocean Resource Management

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Despite ongoing efforts to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in West Africa, the practice continues to plague the region, threatening marine ecosystems and economic stability. In response, experts are gathering in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to develop a comprehensive cooperation framework aimed at promoting the sustainable and integrated use of ocean resources.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing plagues West Africa, especially the Gulf of Guinea, where it accounts for an estimated 40% of catches. A 2024 Financial Transparency Coalition report, cited by the Africa Defence Forum, estimates annual losses between $2.3 billion and $9.4 billion. Beyond these economic damages, IUU fishing severely depletes fish stocks, devastates marine habitats, and threatens food security and livelihoods across coastal communities

Although the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken steps to address the crisis—including the adoption of the 2014 Integrated Maritime Strategy (SMIC) and the 2020 Strategic Framework for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture—IUU fishing persists as a pressing challenge.

To strengthen the fight against IUU fishing, ECOWAS has been tasked with creating an enhanced regulatory framework and engaging external partners to combat not only illegal fishing but also the dumping of toxic materials in the region’s maritime domain. This initiative has brought together experts from member states’ maritime, fisheries, environmental, and maritime affairs departments, alongside ECOWAS technical departments such as Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Agriculture, and Environment.

The meeting also includes participation from key regional organizations, including the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Fisheries Committee of the West Central Gulf of Guinea, and the Senegalese Fisheries Commissions.

Over the course of three days, participants will work to develop a detailed roadmap to harmonize national fisheries laws and strengthen regional collaboration. Key focus areas include:

• Establishing a cooperation mechanism for information sharing,
• Creating a framework for pooling financial and human resources,
• Increasing funding for anti-IUU fishing initiatives,
• Launching a platform to share experiences and best practices, and
• Standardizing the collection of fisheries statistics.

This landmark meeting marks a critical step toward safeguarding West Africa’s marine resources, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and protecting the livelihoods of millions who depend on the region’s oceans.

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