There are still several constraints and barriers to effective trade within the region which includes technology, information linked bottled necks, infrastructure deficiencies, and capital as well as tariffs and non-tariff obstacles that hamper the flow of fish and fish products trade within the region.
Some of the major challenges confronting the trade in fisheries products observed by FCWC includes, cold storage, packaging and storage, transportation, custom and exports formalities, market obstacles, inadequate availability of capital, under-standard unit of measurement, lack of trade information, currency convertibility and transfer barriers. The challenges points out that there is a huge gap within small scale fisheries Association and Actors in the FCWC region, therefore these Associations and Actors are unable to support, facilitate, mobilize and enhance their access to both domestic and regional markets.
In West Africa, fishing and trading in fish and fishery products makes a significant contribution to per capital gross domestic product (GDP). By supporting the improvement of fishing technologies, improved exchange of information among traders, commoditization of fish and improvement in transport infrastructure, as well as increased demand for fish in expanding urban areas the FCWC is contributing to the development of sustainable fisheries and fish trade.