Nigeria Boosts Anti-Illegal Fishing Efforts with €59m EU Ocean Initiative

News in Brief:

—Nigeria plans to utilise the €59 million EU-backed initiative to tackle illegal fishing and improve ocean governance.

—The initiative is expected to strengthen fisheries monitoring, enforcement capacity, maritime security, and sustainable management of marine resources.

Nigeria is set to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and strengthen marine resource management across its territorial waters.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola.

Nigeria, EU Deepen Maritime Cooperation

During the meeting, Oyetola and Mignot reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance.

The minister commended the EU for its longstanding support towards enhancing maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, describing the region as strategically important to global shipping and regional economic development.

According to Oyetola, WASOP presents a significant opportunity to intensify efforts against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance and promote the sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

Illegal Fishing Threatens Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods

The minister identified illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as one of the most serious threats facing Nigeria’s marine ecosystems and coastal economies.

He noted that illegal fishing activities continue to deplete fish stocks, threaten food security and undermine the livelihoods of fishing communities across the country.

“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a direct threat to national security, food sovereignty and the survival of our coastal communities,” Oyetola stated.

He stressed the need for stronger international collaboration, enhanced surveillance systems and stricter enforcement measures to curb illicit fishing operations in Nigerian waters and across the Gulf of Guinea.

Blue Economy Reforms Drive Sector Growth

Oyetola also highlighted ongoing reforms under Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which prioritises innovation, sustainable resource management and increased private sector participation.

According to the minister, recent improvements in port operations, logistics and maritime security have strengthened the sector’s contribution to economic growth while boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

He added that the government is expanding maritime infrastructure as part of broader efforts to unlock opportunities within the blue economy.

Nigeria Seeks Enhanced Fisheries Monitoring Support

The minister called for broader international cooperation beyond anti-piracy efforts, urging development partners to support Nigeria in tackling environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing through coordinated interventions.

He specifically requested additional EU support in fisheries monitoring, surveillance technologies and enforcement capacity development to improve Nigeria’s ability to combat IUU fishing.

Speaking during the engagement, Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s maritime development agenda and regional ocean governance initiatives.

He described WASOP as a flagship EU-funded programme designed to promote sustainable fisheries management, integrated ocean governance and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems across West Africa.

According to the ambassador, the initiative will strengthen coordination among coastal states, improve enforcement mechanisms and support the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy across the region.

WASOP Expected to Strengthen Management

Stakeholders believe the programme will play a critical role in improving fisheries management, protecting marine biodiversity and enhancing food security while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to stronger regional cooperation in addressing illegal fishing and other maritime challenges affecting West African waters.