By Anita Dennis
Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with a focus on vessel authorisation, information sharing and the sustainable management of marine resources across the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
The agreement followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, in Accra.
The discussions centred on improving fisheries monitoring and coordinating enforcement efforts amid concerns that illegal fishing threatens food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Oyetola, who is president of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), said stronger coordination was necessary to address illegal fishing and improve the management of shared marine resources.
He identified Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with Ghana by improving the verification of fishing licences and facilitating information exchange through the regional fisheries body.
Under the proposed collaboration, technical teams from both countries could identify discrepancies in vessel authorisation records and establish procedures for resolving them. The approach is intended to improve transparency, compliance and the ability of authorities to monitor fishing activities across national waters.
“Our shared interest is to protect fisheries resources, expand sustainable production and strengthen the livelihoods of our people. Nigeria remains committed to working with Ghana towards these objectives,” Oyetola said.
Arthur commended Nigeria’s efforts to combat piracy and its progress in developing the marine and blue economy sector. She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to tackling illegal fishing and pledged cooperation with Nigeria.
The Ghanaian minister also disclosed that her country had developed a Marine and Blue Economy policy and sought Nigeria’s support in sharing knowledge and experience, particularly in policy development and sector governance.
The request provides an opportunity for both countries to exchange expertise on ocean governance, fisheries management and the development of their blue economy sectors.
As part of his visit, Oyetola met with the FCWC Secretary-General, Antoine Djihinto, and other officials of the secretariat in Tema, Ghana. He commended the organisation’s achievements over the past year and pledged Nigeria’s continued collaboration with member states.
The minister stressed that effective monitoring, control and surveillance, supported by stronger information-sharing systems and regional initiatives, were essential to protecting fisheries resources and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The FCWC comprises Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. It provides a framework for regional cooperation on fisheries management, maritime security and sustainable fishing practices across the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
For both countries, the next challenge is translating the agreement into consistent enforcement, reliable vessel records and coordinated monitoring. Without effective implementation, illegal operators could continue exploiting gaps between national regulatory systems, undermining legitimate fishing businesses and the economic benefits coastal communities derive from marine resources.
