Monday, 1 September 2025

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Oyetola Vows Crackdown on Illegal Fishing, Signs Landmark Agreements to Safeguard Nigeria’s Marine Resources

by KakakiOodua Media Services in Business, Economy, National, Security

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to protecting its marine resources and combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through enhanced regional and international partnerships.

Oyetola made this known on Monday, September 1, 2025, when he received the Chairman and Secretary-General of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) on a working visit to his office in Abuja. Describing IUU fishing as a “grave threat to marine biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods,” the Minister warned that the practice undermines national and international regulations, endangers food security, and creates unfair competition for law-abiding fishers.

“IUU fishing significantly threatens marine ecosystems and biodiversity, jeopardises sustainable fisheries, and puts enormous pressure on our economy. Nigeria is determined to work closely with our partners to eliminate it,” Oyetola said.

During the meeting, the Minister signed two landmark agreements aimed at strengthening marine governance and improving the welfare of seafarers. The first, the Monrovia Declaration, focuses on enforcing Conservation and Management Measures (CMM), enhancing transparency, and deepening fisheries governance within the FCWC region. The second, the Protocol on Labour Standards for Crew, introduces robust protections for seafarers, prohibits exploitative practices, and seeks to eliminate forced labour on fishing vessels.

Oyetola described the signing of these agreements as a “major step towards sustainable resource management” and highlighted Nigeria’s growing leadership in marine protection and regional cooperation. He also announced that Nigeria will host the 16th Session of the Conference of Ministers of FCWC Member States later this year, following the success of the 15th Session held in Liberia in 2024. He expressed confidence that the upcoming conference would provide an opportunity to consolidate regional efforts, strengthen fisheries governance, and intensify the fight against IUU fishing in the Gulf of Guinea, promising that Nigeria would deliver a world-class event.

Speaking during the visit, FCWC Chairman, J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., praised Oyetola’s leadership and Nigeria’s increasing influence in regional fisheries governance. He assured that the FCWC would continue to deepen its partnership with Nigeria to enhance monitoring, surveillance, and capacity-building across member states. Similarly, FCWC Secretary-General, Dr. Gaston Djihinto, commended Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Committee, stating that the country’s active leadership will strengthen regional cooperation and safeguard marine ecosystems.

Established in 2007, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) promotes collaboration on fisheries management among six member states: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo. The organisation’s mandate includes harmonising policies, combating IUU fishing, improving monitoring and surveillance, and promoting sustainable fisheries to enhance food security and livelihoods across the sub-region.

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