Ambassador and Head of European Union Delegation to Ghana, Diana Acconcia, has called for collaborative and cross-border approach to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing within the Gulf of Guinea region.
Speaking at the opening of a regional fishing monitoring and control centre in Tema, she said the challenge is far greater than any single country can handle effectively on its own.
“Fisheries resources in West Africa, particularly in countries in the Central West Gulf of Guinea, are under threat of extinction and IUU is a major cause of distress. We only stand a chance to revert the trend if only coastal states work together,” she noted.
Ms. Acconcia said the EU remains firmly committed to eradicating IUU fishing around the world with strong and structured actions being taken in that regard.
“We stand ready to support West African countries to strengthen fisheries governance and ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and marine ecosystem
Our approach is to protect the ecological balance of our oceans as a sustainable source of wealth and well-being for future generations,” she added.
Better fisheries management, according to her, could increase global catch by 20percent, which could create more jobs, better food and nutrition security and socio-political stability.
The fishing monitoring facility, established by the Fisheries Committee of West and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), an intergovernmental fisheries supervisory body, will develop and support vessel monitoring and analysis to support coordinated efforts of fisheries inspection at port and at sea.