{"id":123784,"date":"2025-11-14T01:33:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T00:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=123784"},"modified":"2025-11-14T01:33:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T00:33:55","slug":"new-fcwc-chair-oyetola-commits-to-ending-illegal-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/new-fcwc-chair-oyetola-commits-to-ending-illegal-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"\u200eNew FCWC Chair Oyetola Commits to Ending Illegal Fishing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
By Daniel Adaji<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eNigeria\u2019s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has vowed to lead a strong regional front against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eThis is following his election as Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eThe election took place on Thursday during the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC, hosted by Nigeria at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eThe meeting, themed \u201cSecuring Our Ocean Future: People, Resources, and Commitments,\u201d brought together Ministers and senior officials from Member States: Benin, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo, along with regional institutions, international partners, and maritime experts.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eIn his acceptance speech, Oyetola expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to strengthen cooperation among FCWC countries to curb illegal fishing, which he described as a major threat to marine sustainability and regional stability.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e\u201cTogether, we must put an end to the scourge of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in our waters. This menace robs our nations of economic opportunities, threatens our food security, and undermines the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sea. Under my chairmanship, I will work collaboratively with all Member States to ensure stronger enforcement, better data sharing, and improved governance of our shared marine resources,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eHe assured delegates that his leadership would focus on regional cooperation, transparency, and capacity building to enhance collective ocean management within the West Central Gulf of Guinea. According to him, effective ocean governance requires political will, coordinated enforcement, and lasting partnerships across borders.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eWhile welcoming delegates on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the Government of Nigeria, Oyetola reaffirmed the country\u2019s commitment to the FCWC and to the development of the blue economy as a vital pillar of national growth.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e\u201cOur sub-region is richly endowed with marine resources that support livelihoods, food security, trade, and cultural identity for millions of our people,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e\u201cYet these resources face growing pressures from IUU fishing, maritime insecurity, pollution, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. These are challenges that no nation can overcome in isolation; they demand sustained regional collaboration, political will, and shared responsibility,\u201d.the minister added.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eHe urged FCWC Member States to strengthen joint patrols, harmonise regulations, and adopt real-time intelligence sharing for more effective maritime enforcement.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e\u201cAt the regional level, cooperation remains our greatest strength. The outcomes of this conference must translate into actionable measures that strengthen ocean security, enhance economic opportunities, and safeguard the prosperity of future generations,\u201d he noted.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200eThe conference also featured technical sessions where delegates from Member States and development partners reviewed progress reports and discussed new initiatives to improve regional fisheries governance.<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n
\u200e<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n