French Navy collaborates with Fisheries Ministry to combat IUU along Gulf of Guinea                                  

By Konrad Kodjo DJAISI

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC) hosted an international conference on Wenesday, October 1 themed ‘Fisheries and Stability, a Global Issue’ – putting a spotlight on maritime security surveillance along the Gulf of Guinea.

The conference was a unique opportunity to share international, regional and local visions on the way natural resources in the Gulf of Guinea can be preserved, as well as how coordination can be optimised in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing which is rife in the sub-region.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur; Deputy-Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi; and the French Embassy’s Charge’ d’ Affaires were among dignitaries present.

The conference’s origin is in an annual academy called SIREN created by the French Navy four years ago in close coordination with countries along the Gulf of Guinea. This year, 33 officers and agents from 20 countries’ navies and agencies related to maritime security shared expereinces and conducted exercises during several weeks at sea. Three of them are from Ghana.

The French Embassy’s Charge’ d’ Affaires, Rafael Pont, said France through civilian and military commitments is providing strong support to promote regional and international cooperation in combatting IUU fishing and strengthen collaboration between law enforcement and fisheries authorities while developing partnerships for integrated  maritime security and resource management.

Fisheries Minister Emelia Arthur, in an interview with B&FT, used the opportunity to appeal for the European Union to lift the yellow card imposed on Ghana because of IUU activities; noting that the country has done a lot, including passing a new Fisheries Act to tackle the issue.

She also thanked the French Embassy for organising the conference in collaboration with KAIPTC and noted that capacities are being built for better ocean governance. She added that there are 14,000 artisanal canoes and when fish stock deplete it affects them and their households.

Director of SIREN Emmanuel Vignet noted the academy brings skills of managing crises at sea and offers participants hands-on expereince, saying the course’s duration s a month and a half.

He said illegal activities include not only IUU but also narcotic trafficking at sea and other crimes.

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