Minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger regional cooperation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa.

Mr Oyetola, also the chairman of Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, made the call in Monrovia, Liberia, where he spoke at the National Fisheries Investment Conference held from March 30 to March 31.

The minister disclosed this recently. He said the conference, declared open by Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai, was attended by ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the subregion.

Describing the gathering as timely, Mr Oyetola said it provided an important platform to unlock opportunities in fisheries and the wider blue economy.

“This conference comes at a critical time for our region,” he said, noting that the sector remained central to food security, employment and economic growth.

According to him, millions of people across West and Central Africa depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein.

Mr Oyetola warned that the sector continued to face serious challenges.

“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges,” he said, citing declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology,” he said.

Mr Oyetola restated that addressing these challenges required a clear focus on sustainability, investment and regional collaboration. He stressed that without proper management of marine and inland resources, long-term gains would be impossible.

“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed, without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he said.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of the blue economy.

He explained that policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulation were already delivering results, including continued access to international markets for shrimp exports.

Mr Oyetola also highlighted broader reforms in Nigeria’s blue economy, including actions to tackle marine pollution, improve port infrastructure and enhance maritime security.

He explained that the country recently recorded zero piracy incidents which had helped in  improving investor confidence in the Gulf of Guinea.

On investment, the minister called for greater funding across the entire fisheries value chain, including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export development. He noted that with the right policies in place, the sector could generate jobs, particularly for young people and contribute significantly to economic growth.

Mr Oyetola also underscored the importance of regional co-operation, pointing out that fish stocks cut across national boundaries.

In his role as chairman of the FCWC Ministerial Committee, Mr Oyetola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening joint efforts in fisheries governance.

He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a regional record of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols and information-sharing systems aimed at improving enforcement and sustainability.

The minister further noted that the FCWC was working to harmonise fisheries policies among member states and promote trade within the region, with the goal of improving value chains and attracting investment.

(NAN)