A high-level political declaration supported by Ministers from six West African countries at a key meeting in Liberia in December is seen as a key step and call to action in efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.
The Declaration of Monrovia was backed by ministers from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo at the close of the 15th Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) Conference of Ministers, hosted by Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia.
Ministers and representatives agreed on concrete actions such as a closed fishing season and joint patrols across the region, in recognition of the significant threat that IUU fishing poses to marine resources and the livelihoods of millions. The Monrovia Declaration specifically affirms the agreement to create a Regional Record of Authorized Fishing Vessels which would establish a comprehensive system for sharing information on authorized fishing vessels.
TMT, alongside Stop Illegal Fishing and with financial support from Norway, continues to actively support the development of the Regional Record to strengthen fisheries management by restricting access to vessels engaged in illegal fishing.
‘The Monrovia Declaration is an important milestone in our work with FCWC to establish a Regional Register,’ said TMT’s Executive Director Gareth Johnstone.
‘Illegal fishing and its impacts on the environment, economy and communities can only be tackled through regional cooperation. I enthusiastically welcome this demonstration of political will, which strengthens our resolve to help build resilience, capacity and cooperation around the coastal states of Africa and sets FCWC member states apart as a model for the continent. I thank Norway for its continued and critical support to TMT as we continue to support our African partners working to protect vital marine resources and strengthening ocean governance.’
The Monrovia Declaration marked the end of a three-day event organized by FCWC with the Government of Liberia. Two technical days brought together fisheries Directors and officials from across the six countries to approve workplans and actions for the coming year and beyond. The final day was hosted by the President of Liberia at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, where the Declaration was agreed upon.
