Strengthening MCS Systems to Combat IUU Fishing in West Africa
Posted by Patricia Lumba on 12 November 2024 11:50 AM CAT
A team of MCS personnel from FCWC member states, along with the AU-IBAR team, visited the MCS center in Tema, Ghana. The coordinator of the center, Mr. Ere-Walson, demonstrated how vessels' activities are monitored at sea.
In the waters of West Africa, the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has long been a pressing challenge. These unregulated practices not only harm the environment but also threaten the livelihoods of local communities who depend on sustainable fisheries. Recognizing the need for change, AU-IBAR, in collaboration with the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and financial support from SIDA, launched an initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of six West African countries to combat this growing threat.
This initiative brought together Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana, empowering them with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle IUU fishing head-on. Through comprehensive training for Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) personnel, the countries gained essential skills in fisheries monitoring, law enforcement, and the implementation of effective management strategies. For the first time, local teams were equipped not only with knowledge but with practical experience through a visit to the Tema fishing harbor in Ghana—an opportunity to observe and learn from successful fisheries management practices in action.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by each country, a scoping mission to Benin, Nigeria, and Liberia was conducted to tailor the support and address specific national needs. This approach ensured that every country received customized solutions to strengthen its MCS systems.
The impact was further deepened by AU-IBAR’s support in securing vital MCS equipment for the participating countries. This equipment is now at the heart of their fight against IUU fishing, enabling better surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement of sustainable practices across their marine resources.
Above: Participants listening to a Ghanaian fisheries officer during a visit to the Tema Fishing Harbor, inspecting fishing vessels and assessing fish landings.
The culmination of this transformative process was the recognition of the participants’ hard work. At the conclusion of the training, certificates of participation were presented by Mr. Fred Antwi-Boadu, Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission in Ghana, and Dr. Mohammed Seisay from AU-IBAR. These certificates symbolize more than just the completion of a course; they represent a significant step forward in ensuring the future health of West Africa’s marine ecosystems.
Today, these six countries stand stronger, better equipped, and more united in their efforts to protect their aquatic biodiversity. The strengthened MCS systems have created a ripple effect, with improved fisheries management now in place to combat IUU fishing and safeguard the region’s marine environment for generations to come. Through this collective effort, AU-IBAR and its partners have sparked a powerful change that will continue to reverberate across the West African coastline.
The Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Ghana, Mr. Fred Antwi-Boadu, and Dr. Mohamed Seisay (AU-IBAR) handing over a certificate of participation to Ms. Cynthia of FCWC.
Photo credits @Kofi Taylor, FCWC, Accra, Ghana.
