Tenth meeting of the West Africa Task Force celebrates progress to end illegal fishing

Tenth meeting of the West Africa Task Force celebrates progress to end illegal fishing

September 2021 — Per Erik Bergh (CEO), Malebogo Seofeleng (Projects Administrator) and Sally Frankcom (Communications Officer) participated in the tenth West Africa Task Force meeting. Held as a hybrid in-person and online event over five days from the 13-17 September the meeting was attended by representatives from the six member States of the Fisheries Commission of the West Central Gulf of Guinea, that form the core of the WATF.

Additional participation and support came from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF), and Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT).

Per Erik Bergh commented, “The establishment of the FCWC Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre (RMCSC) as well as the SADC MCS Coordination Centre in Maputo represents a new approach and an important step towards eradicating IUU fishing. Regional cooperation and information sharing is the key to increase benefits for the coastal States and ensure sustainability long-term.”