Partnerships are vital to protecting the rich marine resources of West Africa which play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems, enable economic growth and act as a source of food security. Recognising the importance of regional cooperation, Ministers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo, the six Member States that make up the Fisheries Committee for West Africa (FCWC) are meeting in Monrovia, Liberia this week.
TMT continues to work side by side with FCWC, providing technical assistance, supporting capacity building and forging and maintaining long-standing partnerships in the region. We recognise that ending illegal fishing requires a long-view to ensuring autonomy, cooperation and sustainability, this is why TMT's support focuses 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 establish a comprehensive system for sharing information on authorized fishing vessels, strengthen fisheries management by restricting access to vessels engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Success hinges on the political will and commitment of Member States and this is why the Conference of Ministers offers such a crucial opportunity.
This week, two technical days and a Ministerial day, hosted by President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, will review a concrete workplan for the coming year and importantly plan to deliver the Monrovia Declaration. This political declaration is expected to call for action on fisheries management measures, particularly closed fishery seasons and development of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels.
TMT, together with Stop Illegal Fishing and through financial support from Norway, intend to ensure the FCWC and other regional fishery management bodies across Africa have the capacity to put their declaration into action. We are committed to working alongside these partners to support their work protecting fishery resources through regional cooperation initiatives such as the Regional Record and ensure Africa has a vibrant and just Blue Economy now and into the future.
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