PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tema, Ghana: 21 August 2024
FCWC Enhances Environmental Protection Capabilities with New Equipment from AU-IBAR to Protect Aquatic Biodiversity in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tema, Ghana – The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), an intergovernmental regional fisheries advisory body headquartered in Tema, Ghana, proudly announces the receipt of new equipment from the African Union Interafrican Bureau on Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) on behalf of its Member States. This equipment will significantly bolster environmental protection activities in the Gulf of Guinea sub-region, enhancing efforts to conserve and protect aquatic biodiversity.
The equipment was procured as part of the activities under a joint project between FCWC and AU-IBAR, titled “Strengthening Regional MCS Systems for Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity and Environmental Management in the African Region,” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). This initiative is pivotal in building FCWC’s capacity to extend its environmental protection efforts, addressing critical issues related to aquatic biodiversity conservation.
The project aims to strengthen the operational capacities of FCWC Member States by providing the necessary tools and resources to effectively monitor and manage their marine environments. This initiative is vital in safeguarding the aquatic ecosystems that are crucial to the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the region.
During a scoping mission to Benin, Liberia, and Nigeria last year, the project’s focal points identified the urgent need for additional tools to support Member States in their efforts to monitor and protect aquatic biodiversity. The mission highlighted the critical nexus of MCS, aquatic biodiversity, and environmental sustainability, underlining the importance of equipping Member States with advanced technology and resources.
The equipment received includes an HF radio set for the FCWC’s Regional MCS Centre, and Samsung Galaxy tablets, GPS devices, and digital cameras for the Member States, which will2 significantly enhance their ability to conduct effective surveillance and data collection. This new technology will empower local authorities to better manage their fisheries resources, ensuring compliance with regulations and reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Commenting on the handing over of the equipment, FCWC Secretary-General Dr. Gaston Djihinto stated, “The provision of this equipment marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to protect aquatic biodiversity in the Gulf of Guinea. By strengthening our equipment and capabilities, we are not only safeguarding our marine resources but also ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the communities that depend on them.”
The equipment is being handed over to the FCWC Secretariat and will be distributed to the fisheries ministries of Member States through in-country missions scheduled for later this year. This strategic distribution will ensure that each Member State is equipped with the necessary tools to enhance their MCS operations, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of the region’s marine environment.
Background
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) is an intergovernmental body established in 2007, with a Secretariat hosted in Tema, Ghana. The FCWC facilitates cooperation in fisheries management between its member countries: Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. The countries have several shared fish stocks and identified a need for cooperation and shared management of these resources.
For further information, please visit www.fcwc-fish.org PRESS CONTACT: Name: Kofi Taylor-Hayford Phone: +233 201338174 Email: communication@fcwc-fish.org
