FCWC region wraps up 17th regional fisheries cooperation meeting in Ghana

GHANA – The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) recently concluded its 17th West Africa Task Force (WATF) meeting in Tema, Ghana. 

This biannual event, held from November 12 to 14, 2024, focused on strengthening Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) in fisheries across the region. 

Hosted at the Alisa Hotel, the meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from fisheries ministries, the Subregional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), USAID Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), and technical teams from Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF) and Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT). 

Discussions centred on enhancing fisheries management measures and advancing regional initiatives such as developing a Regional Record of Authorized Fishing Vessels (RRAFV).  

The event opened with remarks from distinguished speakers, including Dr Antoine Gaston Djihinto, Secretary-General of the FCWC; Dr Gareth Johnstone, Executive Director of TMT; Dr Ndiaga Gueye, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at FAO Africa; and Madam Esi Bordah Quayson, Marine Director of Ghana’s Fisheries Commission. 

These leaders underscored the importance of regional collaboration in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability and food security in West Africa.  

A review of the WATF’s decade-long achievements highlighted its impact on regional fisheries governance. 

Over the years, the task force has conducted over 50 training sessions, equipping over 350 MCS personnel with essential skills. 

It has also facilitated the handling of more than 100 cases involving high-risk fishing vessels, from license denials to rerouting, and established an online platform fostering over 1,000 discussions related to MCS. 

These efforts have enhanced cooperation in the West African region and served as models for other initiatives, such as the Southern African FISH-i Task Force, in establishing permanent regional MCS centres.  

Central to the discussions was the proposed RRAFV, a key tool designed to combat IUU fishing by creating a comprehensive system for sharing information on authorised vessels.

The record aims to strengthen fisheries governance by limiting access to vessels involved in illegal fishing activities while promoting sustainable economic growth.

Stakeholders emphasised the need to align the development of the RRAFV with sustainable financing mechanisms for the FCWC’s Regional MCS Centre (RMCSC), ensuring long-term operational viability.  

Participants delved into the technical and operational aspects of implementing the RRAFV, with breakout sessions providing an opportunity to explore criteria, conditions, and frameworks for its establishment. 

The meeting recommended creating capacity-building and mentorship programs for RMCSC systems users, developing frameworks for regional joint patrols, and supporting member states in implementing fisheries closed seasons.  

The meeting concluded with strategic recommendations to enhance regional fisheries management. 

These included developing sustainable funding mechanisms for the RMCSC, improving linkages between the centre and other maritime organisations, and establishing a repository for experiences related to closed fishing seasons. 

The meeting’s outcomes will be presented at the upcoming 15th FCWC Conference of Ministers, which will be held in Monrovia, Liberia, from December 11 to 13, 2024.  

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