Nigeria and Ghana have strengthened bilateral cooperation on fisheries governance, sustainable fisheries management and efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as both countries seek to improve the management of marine resources in the region.
The development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, following engagements with Ghanaian authorities and key regional fisheries institutions.
According to a statement from the ministry, the visit provided an opportunity for Oyetola, who currently serves as 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 discussions formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and advance shared fisheries management objectives during Nigeria’s chairmanship of the committee.
The statement highlighted Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels, describing it as a practical platform for enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana.
Under the initiative, both countries are expected to improve verification of vessel authorisations and facilitate the exchange of relevant fisheries information through the FCWC framework, a move aimed at curbing illegal fishing activities across the Gulf of Guinea.
Oyetola stressed the importance of coordinated regional action in protecting marine resources, noting that cross-border collaboration remains essential to addressing challenges posed by IUU fishing and ensuring sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, commended Nigeria’s efforts in combating piracy and advancing the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to tackling IUU fishing and pledged her country’s full cooperation with Nigeria in addressing the threat.
Arthur noted that closer collaboration between the two nations would strengthen monitoring and enforcement efforts while promoting the sustainable management of fisheries resources for the benefit of coastal communities and future generations.
The renewed partnership is expected to enhance regional fisheries governance and contribute to broader efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea’s marine ecosystem against illegal fishing and other maritime crimes.
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