The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), through its Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre (RMCSC), successfully coordinated a simultaneous fisheries patrol operation involving Nigeria and Liberia from 26 to 28 August 2026. The operation brought together Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) operators, fisheries inspectors, and naval and coast guard personnel from both countries, who were embedded at the FCWC RMCSC in Tema, Ghana, and maintained real-time liaison with their respective national authorities throughout the patrol.
The RMCSC with support from TMT and the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC) provided real-time intelligence and analytical support throughout the operation, enabling swift decision-making and coordinated responses to identified threats. The simultaneous patrol was designed to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhance maritime security, and promote sustainable fisheries governance in the region. While Nigeria and Liberia are not neighbouring countries, the coordinated operation offered significant benefits in terms of shared learning, strengthened coordination protocols, and streamlined intelligence generation and provision. The patrol also provided an opportunity to test and refine regional mechanisms for information sharing and joint enforcement under the framework of the FCWC's Regional MCS Centre.
The operation yielded tangible enforcement results. Nigerian authorities arrested three vessels for fisheries violations, while Liberian authorities boarded a suspected cargo vessel for further inspection. These outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated enforcement action and the value of regional cooperation in protecting marine resources. The presence of enforcement assets at sea also served as a powerful deterrent to illegal operators, reinforcing the message that non-compliance will not be tolerated across the region.
The FCWC extends its appreciation to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and the Liberia Coast Guard, as well as the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) and the Nigerian Navy, for their commitment and collaboration. The lessons learned from this operation will inform future coordinated patrols and contribute to stronger fisheries governance across West Africa. The FCWC RMCSC remains dedicated to supporting Member States in their efforts to combat IUU fishing, strengthen maritime security, and build a sustainable blue economy for the benefit of coastal communities and future generations.
