Nigeria and Ghana are seeking stronger cooperation in tracking authorised fishing vessels and combating illegal fishing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, made this known during a meeting with Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, in Accra on Wednesday.
Oyetola proposed joint reviews of fishing vessel authorisation records to identify discrepancies, improve compliance and strengthen regional surveillance.
He said Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels would provide a platform for information-sharing and improved fisheries monitoring.
“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,” he said.
Oyetola warned that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatened food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Arthur pledged Ghana’s cooperation in tackling the menace and sought Nigeria’s support in sharing expertise on marine and blue economy policy development.
She also commended Nigeria’s efforts in combating piracy and advancing its marine and blue economy sector.
Oyetola, who is President of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), also visited the committee’s secretariat and Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre in Tema.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional surveillance and information-sharing among FCWC member states.
The committee comprises Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Togo.
