The Nigerian Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has met with Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, to strengthen bilateral cooperation on fisheries governance and combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Mr Oyetola disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Wednesday after a meeting with Ms Arthur in Accra, Ghana.
“Today, I met with Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur, in Accra to strengthen bilateral cooperation on fisheries governance, vessel authorisation and the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing,” Mr Oyetola said.
He said IUU fishing is a shared concern with serious implications for food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
“I stressed that IUU fishing is a shared concern with serious implications for food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of our fishing communities. Stronger coordination is essential to tackling this menace and protecting our fisheries resources,” he said.
Mr Oyetola said Nigeria’s pilot of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels offers a practical basis for collaboration with Ghana on verifying vessel authorisations, exchanging information and resolving discrepancies through the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
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He said Ms Arthur reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to combating IUU fishing, commended Nigeria’s efforts against piracy and sought our support in sharing experience on Marine and Blue Economy policy development.
“In my capacity as President of the FCWC, I also visited the Committee’s Secretariat in Tema, where I met with the Secretary-General, Antoine Djihinto, and other staff. I commended the progress recorded over the past year and reaffirmed my commitment to working with all six member states to strengthen regional fisheries governance and combat IUU fishing.
“Our shared responsibility is to protect marine resources, promote sustainable production and improve the livelihoods of our people. Nigeria remains committed to working with Ghana and other FCWC member states towards a sustainable and prosperous blue economy,” he added.
The FCWC comprises six member states – Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire – collaborating to promote sustainable fisheries management in the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
