The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) successfully concluded the 17th West Africa Task Force (WATF) meeting in Ghana, during which TMT’s support, funded by the Government of Norway, focused specifically on practical steps for regional cooperation and the development of a vital collective tool to combat illegal fishing – a Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels.
A Regional Record would act as a key step towards improving the governance of the region’s fisheries sector. This would establish a comprehensive system for sharing information on authorised fishing vessels, strengthen fisheries management by restricting access to vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promote sustainable economic growth.
In collaboration with FCWC, TMT together with Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF) are working to ensure that the Regional Record is not only a tool for compliance but also a mechanism for the long-term sustainable financing of the Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) Center, empowering the region to take control of its fisheries resources.
TMT warns that the success of the Regional Record and other initiatives hinge on the political will and commitment of Member States to advance regional efforts towards better compliance and transparency in the fisheries sector.
A road map for implementation is due to be discussed at the 15th FCWC Conference of Ministers on 11-13th December in Monrovia, where TMT’s engagement and expertise will continue to provide support.
The 17th West Africa Task Force (WATF) meeting in Ghana last month is a biannual event convened key stakeholders, including representatives from TMT, fisheries ministries, the Subregional Fisheries Commission, USAID Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity, Hen Mpoano and project representatives from Improving Fisheries Governance in Ghana, WATF Technical Team, Sierra Leone, and observers including the FAO Representative from the Regional Office for Africa.
