The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Department of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), convened a sensitization workshop on the Regional Record of Authorized Fishing Vessels (RRAFV) in Lagos, Nigeria, on 22 to 23 June 2026.

 

The workshop marks an important step in strengthening regional fisheries governance, improving transparency, and enhancing monitoring, control and surveillance efforts across FCWC Member States. It brought together vessel owners and operators, representatives of the Nigerian Navy, the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, FCWC, the Regional MCS Centre Trygg Matt Tracking and other key stakeholders to build awareness and understanding of the RRAFV, its purpose and the approach for its implementation in Nigeria.

 

The establishment of the RRAFV was agreed as a key regional measure to support stronger oversight of vessels authorized to operate within the maritime jurisdictions of FCWC Member States. This commitment was reaffirmed by the Conference of Ministers through the Monrovia Declaration in 2025, reflecting the region’s shared determination to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and improve accountability in the fisheries sector.

 

Nigeria has been selected as the first pilot country for the initiative, providing an important opportunity to test and refine the system before wider implementation across the FCWC region. Preparatory work is already underway, including analysis of vessels licensed to fish in Nigerian waters in 2026.

 

The sensitization workshop provided a platform to present the regional and national background of the RRAFV, explain its objectives and expected benefits and clarify the practical implications for vessel operators. Participants were also introduced to the proposed vessel registration process, requirements, timelines, and supporting materials being developed to facilitate compliance.

 

A key focus of the workshop was early stakeholder engagement. Successful implementation of the RRAFV depends on ensuring that vessel operators and relevant institutions clearly understand the system, its requirements, and the benefits it offers for fisheries governance, monitoring, and transparency. The workshop served as an opportunity to address questions, clarify expectations and gather feedback to refine the implementation process and tools.

 

The RRAFV is expected to support improved access to reliable vessel information, strengthen national and regional monitoring systems and contribute to more transparent fisheries operations. For vessel operators, the pilot phase will provide advance guidance on registration requirements and the timelines that will apply as the system becomes operational.

 
Participants noted that registration will begin in 2027 and that industrial fishing vessels operating in Nigeria will be included at no fee through the end of 2028. A five percent levy on the national authorisation fee, payable in Naira, will support the operations of the Regional MCS Centre through a dedicated platform.

 

By hosting the first pilot phase, Nigeria is playing a leading role in advancing regional cooperation and practical implementation of fisheries transparency measures. The experience gained through this process will provide valuable lessons for other FCWC Member States and contribute to a stronger, more coordinated regional approach to sustainable fisheries governance.

 

Through this initiative, the FCWC continues to support its Member States in building effective systems that promote legal fishing operations, strengthen compliance, and safeguard the marine resources that are vital to food security, livelihoods, and economic development across the West Central Gulf of Guinea.”

 
Lagos, Nigeria

 
Tina Nkansah Akuamoah, Communication Officer