By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Nigeria has agreed to serve as the pilot country for the formal implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels in West Africa, a move the Federal Government says underscores its commitment to combating illegal fishing and strengthening marine governance across the Gulf of Guinea.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, during a high-level meeting with the organisation’s Secretary-General and secretariat staff in Abuja.
Oyetola said Nigeria’s decision to host the pilot phase demonstrates the country’s resolve to translate regional leadership into measurable outcomes for sustainable fisheries management.
According to him, the proposed Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels will establish a verified database of industrial fishing vessels permitted to operate within the maritime zones of FCWC member states, covering both foreign and domestic fleets.
He explained that the system is designed to improve transparency, accountability and cross-border cooperation in a region heavily affected by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“The project is envisaged as a formalised and validated regional database containing comprehensive and reliable information on fishing vessels authorised to operate within the maritime jurisdictions of FCWC member states,” Oyetola said.
He noted that the initiative builds on a roadmap endorsed by member states and reaffirmed in the Monrovia Declaration, which outlined steps for establishing the register as a shared governance tool across West Central Africa.
The minister expressed optimism that the pilot phase would test feasibility, identify operational gaps and generate practical lessons for wider regional rollout. He pledged that Nigeria would use the experience gained to support other member states when implementation expands.
Oyetola emphasised that collective regional action remains essential to protect fisheries resources and safeguard livelihoods in the Gulf of Guinea.
He also highlighted complementary regional efforts, including joint patrols and enforcement initiatives under the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme being implemented by the FCWC in partnership with the European Fisheries Control Agency.
The minister further disclosed that Nigeria’s draft National Plan of Action on illegal fishing is currently being reviewed and updated following the transfer of fisheries oversight to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He proposed deeper institutional engagement with the FCWC, including a high-level Nigerian mission to the organisation’s secretariat and regional monitoring centre, as well as collaboration to harmonise food safety and fisheries regulatory standards across member states to boost trade and consumer protection.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, Oyetola said his tenure as Chairman of the FCWC Conference of Ministers would prioritise practical outcomes, stronger institutions and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Speaking earlier, the FCWC Secretary-General, Antoine Gaston Djihinto, commended the minister for his commitment to addressing illegal fishing and boosting fish production in Nigeria. He also praised the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for hosting what he described as an “outstanding and highly commendable” FCWC Conference in Lagos in November 2025.
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, established in 2007 and headquartered in Tema, Ghana, comprises six member states—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo—and works to promote sustainable management of shared marine resources while combating IUU fishing in the sub-region.
