A regional effort to address the sharp decline in fish stocks across West Africa was launched at the University of Ghana on April 28, as stakeholders called for stronger coordination and sustainable management of shared marine resources.
The project, titled Fisheries Without Borders (FWB), highlighted growing concerns about the sustainability of coastal livelihoods and what stakeholders described as fragmented and insufficient policy responses to declining fish stocks.
Funded by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors through the Blue Convergence Fund, the initiative is led by the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Nigeria. The project will run from 2026 to 2027 across Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin. In Ghana, implementation is being led by the University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences in collaboration with the Wildlife and Human Resource Organisation.
At the core of the initiative is a fundamental governance challenge: fish stocks move freely across national boundaries, while management systems remain largely confined within them. This disconnect has contributed to overfishing, weak enforcement, and declining yields.
Ghana’s country lead, Prof. F. K. E. Nunoo, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting a significant decline in marine fish production.
The initiative builds on similar stakeholder engagements already conducted in Nigeria and Benin, forming part of a broader effort to capture local insights and translate them into more effective regional policies.
Discussions during the launch revealed a complex set of challenges affecting the fisheries sector. Climate change emerged as a major concern, with rising sea temperatures, coastal erosion, and shifting fish migration patterns directly impacting fish availability, food security, and livelihoods.
A key theme throughout the dialogue was the need for inclusivity, particularly the role of women in fisheries governance. Participants advocated for the formal inclusion of women in decision-making bodies, recognizing their critical contributions to the sector.
There were also calls for improved infrastructure, particularly access to cold storage and fish processing facilities, supported by affordable financing mechanisms. Such investments are essential for reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing income opportunities.
The initiative has received strong support from key institutions, including the Environmental Protection Authority, which cited Ghana’s updated EPA Act as evidence of strengthened legal backing for climate action. The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), representing six countries, also participated and endorsed the project’s regional approach.
The Fisheries Without Borders initiative represents a significant step toward a more coordinated and sustainable framework for managing shared marine resources in West Africa. By fostering collaboration, strengthening partnerships, and integrating diverse knowledge systems, the project aims to enhance the resilience of coastal communities while safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations.
