Nigeria has pledged to work with regional and international partners to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in its waters.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said this on Monday in Abuja when he hosted the Chairman and Secretary-General of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
Oyetola described IUU fishing as a major threat to the marine ecosystem, biodiversity, and livelihoods, stressing that it undermines sustainable fisheries and creates unfair competition. He announced that Nigeria will host the 16th Session of the FCWC Conference of Ministers to consolidate regional efforts against the menace.
FCWC Chairman, Cyrus Saygbe, praised Nigeria’s performance in the blue economy sector, while Secretary-General, Dr. Gaston Djihinto, said Nigeria’s leadership will boost regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries.
The meeting also featured the signing of the Monrovia Declaration on conservation and governance, as well as a Protocol on Labour Standards for Crew and the Elimination of Forced Labour on fishing vessels.
