By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has expressed readiness to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and improve the sustainable management of Nigeria’s marine resources.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced cooperation on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance.
Oyetola commended the European Union for its longstanding support to Nigeria, particularly in promoting maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, a region considered critical to global shipping and regional economic development.
According to the minister, the WASOP initiative presents a significant opportunity to strengthen coordinated action against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance and promote the sustainable utilisation of marine resources across West Africa.
He noted that Nigeria is prepared to engage fully with the programme to attract technical and financial support aimed at enhancing enforcement capabilities and advancing the country’s blue economy agenda.
Oyetola described illegal fishing as a major threat to marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods, warning that the practice continues to deplete fish stocks, undermine food security and weaken the economic wellbeing of coastal communities.
“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a direct threat to national security, food sovereignty and the survival of our coastal communities. We cannot afford to stand by and watch our marine ecosystems depleted and economic livelihoods eroded,” he said.
The minister called for stronger international collaboration, backed by robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, to curb illegal activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters and across the Gulf of Guinea.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms under the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which focuses on innovation, private sector investment and the sustainable development of ocean resources.
According to him, recent improvements in port operations, logistics and maritime security have enhanced the sector’s performance, while efforts are ongoing to expand maritime infrastructure and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
Oyetola further urged development partners to broaden cooperation beyond piracy control to include tackling environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing through integrated regional strategies.
He specifically sought increased technical assistance from the European Union in surveillance technology, fisheries monitoring and enforcement capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against IUU fishing.
Earlier, Ambassador Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and other West African countries in promoting safer and more sustainable oceans.
He said the WASOP programme is designed to strengthen integrated ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems across the region.
The ambassador added that the initiative would improve coordination among coastal states, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and support the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy in West Africa.
