Regional Experts Adopts Road Map, Recommend ECOWAS Strengthen Leadership to Tackle IUU Fishing in W/ Africa.
By Raymond Enoch
Experts and stakeholders from the maritime sector across West Africa have agreed on a comprehensive roadmap to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the region.
In a landmark 4th meeting of the ECOWAS Maritime Stakeholders, held in Abidjan from March 18 to 20, 2025, key representatives from ECOWAS Member States, the ECOWAS Commission, and regional maritime and fisheries organizations converged to devise strategies aimed at combating the growing threat of IUU fishing in West African waters.
The meeting, which gathered experts from various sectors, focused on developing a regional framework for enhanced cooperation and addressing the environmental challenges posed by IUU fishing. One of the critical outcomes was a call for ECOWAS to take a more prominent leadership role in the fight against IUU fishing, leveraging its political and technical influence to ensure a more unified and effective approach across the region.
Among the key recommendations made during the three-day event was the strengthening of collaboration between technical directorates and marine research institutes. This partnership aims to boost scientific and technological capacities, enabling the region to generate more accurate and reliable data on fishing activities and marine health.
Member States were also urged to improve coordination between their national agencies and ensure a more structured and consolidated approach to managing the blue economy. The proposal includes designating a lead institution responsible for overseeing the efforts against IUU fishing and ensuring resource pooling to enhance regional enforcement capacities.
The roadmap outlined in Abidjan highlights the urgency of addressing IUU fishing, which has devastating effects on the livelihoods of local fishermen, the sustainability of marine ecosystems, and the economic stability of coastal nations in West Africa.
By adopting these strategies, experts are hopeful that the region can make significant strides toward eradicating IUU fishing, ultimately securing a sustainable and prosperous future for West Africa’s maritime resources.
