The government of Benin has announced that it will implement a closed season for beach seines from 16 June to 31 July 2023.

The announcement was made after deliberations to implement a national fishery closed season were revised to accommodate the concerns of artisanal fishers who requested a longer prior notice period.

The government of Benin has announced that a fishery closed season will be implemented in 2024, spanning three months.

Commenting on the announcement, FCWC Secretary-General Dr. Antoine Gaston Djihinto stated “It is welcome news that the Government of Benin via the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP) is boldly implementing at the national level fisheries management measures which have been agreed upon in the regional fisheries management plan. We look forward to the lessons learned from the beach seine closed season to use them to prepare adequately for Benin’s fishery closed season in tandem with Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana in 2024.”

The decision demonstrates Benin’s commitment to the regional objective to implement a joint closed season, progressing to a regional closed season to sustainably manage the fish stock in the region.