The federal government says it will collaborate with regional and international partners to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the country.

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, said this on Monday, when he received the chairman and secretary-general of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in Abuja.

Mr Oyetola described IUU fishing as a serious breach of both national and international law.

According to him, such practices were carried out in ways that undermine established conservation and management measures for fish stocks.

“IUU fishing poses a significant threat to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. It undermines sustainable fisheries and creates unfair competition for law-abiding fishers,” Mr Oyetola said.

The minister revealed that the federal government plans to host the 16th Session of the Conference of Ministers of FCWC member states to consolidate regional efforts towards strengthening fisheries governance.

He explained that the conference would enhance collaboration among member states and intensify the fight against IUU fishing in the Gulf of Guinea.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating in strengthening regional fisheries governance, promoting sustainable utilisation of marine resources, and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of citizens.

Earlier, the chairman of FCWC, Cyrus Saygbe, commended the Nigerian government for its strong performance in the marine and blue economy sector.

He also commended the minister’s active participation in the 15th Session of the Conference of Ministers in 2024 in Liberia, stressing that the engagement strengthened Nigeria’s role in regional fisheries governance.

Mr Saygbe assured that the FCWC would partner with Nigeria to combat IUU fishing in the sub-region while also bolstering monitoring, surveillance, and training to ensure adherence to global best practices.

Similarly, Gaston Djihinto, the secretary-general of the FCWC, stated that Nigeria’s leadership in the FCWC would further advance regional cooperation in safeguarding marine resources and promoting sustainable fisheries.

The highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Monrovia Declaration on Ensuring the Implementation of Conservation and Management Measures (CMM), Increased Governance, and Transparency in the FCWC Region.

Also signed is the Protocol on Labour Standards for Crew and the Elimination of Forced Labour on Fishing Vessels in the FCWC Region.

(NAN)