Nigeria and Ghana Enhance Fisheries Cooperation Efforts

Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, met with Emelia Arthur, the Ghanaian Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, to strengthen bilateral cooperation on fisheries governance and sustainable fisheries management. The ministers discussed the urgent need for enhanced coordination between Nigeria and Ghana to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses significant threats to food security, government revenue, and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Oyetola emphasized Nigeria's pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels as a means to improve cooperation with Ghana, particularly in verifying vessel authorisations and sharing information through the FCWC framework. He proposed that technical teams from both nations collaborate to resolve discrepancies in vessel authorisation records.

Emelia Arthur praised Nigeria's efforts against piracy and expressed Ghana's commitment to combating IUU fishing, while also seeking Nigeria's support in sharing knowledge regarding Marine and Blue Economy policies.