Group photo – FCWC Region Concludes Seventeenth Regional Fisheries Cooperation Meeting in Ghana
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) successfully convened the 17th meeting of the West Africa Task Force (WATF), a biannual regional fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) cooperation forum, from 12 to 14 November 2024, at the Alisa Hotel in Tema, Ghana.
The three-day event brought together representatives from fisheries ministries (Directors and Heads of MCS), the Subregional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), USAID Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), Hen Mpoano, and the WATF Technical Team, including Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF) and TMT. Discussions focused on strengthening fisheries management measures (MMs), the role of the FCWC’s Regional MCS Centre (RMCSC) in regional MCS activities, and updates on key initiatives and projects.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from distinguished speakers, including FCWC’s Secretary-General, Dr. Antoine Gaston Djihinto, TMT’s Executive Director, Dr. Gareth Johnstone, FAO Africa’s Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer, Dr. Ndiaga Gueye, and Ghana’s Fisheries Commission Marine Director, Madam Esi Bordah Quayson.
A review of the WATF’s impact over the past decade revealed significant achievements: delivering at least 50 trainings to more than 350 MCS personnel, establishing a regional online communication platform with over 1,000 MCS-related discussions, and handling more than 100 cases involving port entry denial, license rejection, vessel registration, and rerouting of high-risk vessels. These successes were noted as pivotal in shaping African MCS cooperation and more broadly cooperation between the WATF and the southern and eastern African FISH-i Africa Task Force, serving as models for the establishment of permanent regional MCS centres. Discussions emphasised the need to strengthen these centres’ capacity, institutional frameworks, and sustainability.
Participants delved into the growing role of the FCWC RMCSC in coordinating regional patrols, supporting fisheries closed seasons, and supporting the implementation of MMs. Building on previous calls for sustainable financing of the RMCSC, the meeting explored a phased approach to creating a Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels (RRAFV). A breakout session allowed participants to brainstorm criteria, conditions, and operational considerations for establishing the Record.
The meeting concluded with several key recommendations, including:
Developing sustainable funding mechanisms for the RMCSC while leveraging its capabilities and fostering inter-regional collaboration.
Drafting a protocol and implementation plan and conducting critical assessments leading to the establishment of the Regional Record.
Improve linkages between the RMCSC and other maritime and MCS centres.
Establishing capacity-building and mentorship programs for the use of the RMCSC systems and tools.
Develop a framework to facilitate cross-border and regional joint patrols.
Supporting remaining FCWC Member States in implementing fisheries closed. seasons and creating a repository of experiences on closed fishing seasons.
The outcomes and recommendations from the meeting will be presented at the 15th FCWC Conference of Ministers, scheduled for 11–13 December, 2024, in Monrovia, Liberia.
