The Fisheries Committee of West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in partnership with the African Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has organized a three-day capacity building workshop in fisheries monitoring control and surveillance systems (MCS) in Tema.

The workshop formed part of a trans-boundary plan of the AU-IBAR and FCWC to strengthen regional expertise towards the effective supervision and monitoring of marine and inland water ecosystems to foster sustainable marine governance practices in the six FCWC member states namely Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin.

Acting Director of AU-IBAR, Dr. Nick Nwankpa, in a speech read on his behalf, indicated that strengthening regional capacities in MCS systems was an effective means to combatting the ages-long problem of IUU fishing and its attendant negative practices, as well as the protection and conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the marine environment.

“This ongoing collaboration with FCWC could not have come at a better time given the increasing IUU menace and attendant impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems as a whole.

Weak MCS systems have contributed to increased incidences of unsustainable practices and reduction in aquatic biodiversity in African large marine ecosystems and inland waters,” he noted.

According to Dr. Nwankpa, MCS issues are mostly trans-boundary in nature and could only be deterred through similar effective inter-state arrangements, hence the need for the training workshop for workshop.

He added: “This training workshop is an excellent opportunity to enhance capacity of FCWC member states for effective deterrence, combat and elimination of IUU fishing as well as protection of aquatic biodiversity and environment that will bring immensurable benefits in terms of food security, enhanced livelihoods and incomes.”

The workshop is being held on the theme “Strengthening Regional MCS Systems for Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity and Environmental Management in FCWC Region”.

Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, Mr. Fred Antwi-Boadu, commended FCWC and AU-IBAR for the timely workshop and tasked participants to commit the acquired knowledge towards making a difference in tackling the critical issues of IUU fishing and biodiversity conservation.

“Fishing and fisheries are a way of life for our people, a crucial source of livelihood and protein for our coastal communities and remain a vital part of our culture, tradition and economy.

The FCWC area is at the heart of our regional food systems, with large quantities of fish catch coming from our region’s fisheries, making our region a key player in the seafood industry,” he emphasized.

He was hopeful that the insights and knowledge that will be shared at the workshop will equip participants with the requisite competences and preparedness towards the proper stewardship of the region’s marine ecosystems.

The AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union that is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, apiculture and wildlife as well as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in AU-member states.