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By Edward Graham Sebbie
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is estimated to cost West Africa billions of dollars annually, posing a severe threat to marine biodiversity, coastal communities, and food security across the subregion.
Experts warn that the growing menace requires urgent and coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to safeguard the health of the oceans before it wreaks further havoc on livelihoods and economies.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Rune Skinnebach, raised this concern at the launch of the West Africa Sustainable Oceans Programme (WASOP) held at the Tema Canoe Basin in the Greater Accra Region.
According to him, oceans provide invaluable resources and influence every aspect of human life, yet continue to face growing threats that, if left unaddressed, could have dire consequences for the subregion.
“Water serves as the lifeline of our climate, and its health is a shared responsibility. Through comprehensive monitoring, control, and surveillance, we aim to curb the menace of IUU fishing and ensure sustainable ocean governance,” he emphasized.
Mr. Skinnebach explained that initiatives like WASOP strengthen the shared commitment between Ghana and the EU to protect and grow the maritime economy while combating IUU fishing.
He stressed that the EU is not in the region to impose solutions, but rather to support home-grown efforts. The success of WASOP, he said, depends largely on the wisdom of West African governments and their fisheries control agencies, the innovation of the private sector, the dedication of the scientific community, and the vibrancy of the youth.
The EU Ambassador also acknowledged the ongoing dialogue between Ghana and the EU, specifically aimed at tackling IUU fishing, and commended Ghana’s recent passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act in August this year.
“We must understand that the ocean is about trade, occupation, and livelihoods. This is an African-led vision, and we are proud and humble partners in that journey,” he added.
While calling for commitments to be translated into tangible actions, Mr. Skinnebach noted that the success of WASOP will depend on stakeholders’ ability to collaborate effectively across borders.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Emilia Arthur, commended the EU for funding the WASOP initiative and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to sustainable ocean and fisheries management.
She appealed to the EU to consider the significant progress Ghana has made in combating IUU fishing and lift the yellow card ban imposed on the country some years ago.
Mrs. Arthur further called on fisherfolk to take ownership of the WASOP initiative and work together to make IUU fishing a thing of the past.
The EU’s commitment of €57 million to fund the WASOP programme reaffirms its continuous support for West Africa in promoting effective ocean governance, sustainable development, and environmental protection across the subregion.
