SYMPOSIUM ON ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING IN THE GULF OF GUINEA

15-17 May 2023

The symposium on “Trends and Impact of Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) Fishing in the Gulf of Guinea: Stakeholders Response,” was the first of the dialogue series hosted in Côte d’Ivoire. This groundbreaking event convened 38 participants, comprising 7 women and 31 men, representing a diverse array of sectors including government, academia, civil society, regional and international organizations, and the private sector. The symposium’s central focus was the comprehensive exploration of the nature, extent, and repercussions of IUU fishing within the Gulf of Guinea region. It served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to pool their insights, share best practices, and develop strategies aimed at fostering sustainable fishing practices throughout the GoG. This three-day symposium fostered meaningful dialogues, allowing participants to exchange experiences and brainstorm innovative solutions for the multifaceted challenges posed by IUU fishing in the Gulf of Guinea. The Symposium attracted participants from a range of countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Sierra Leone, and our gracious hosts, Côte d’Ivoire. This diverse representation ensured a comprehensive, both national and trans-national understanding of the IUU fishing phenomenon. Key takeaways encompassed the urgency of imposing more severe penalties for IUU fishing infractions, recognizing the pivotal role of grassroots women in policy-making processes, and advocating for enhanced coordination among regional stakeholders in the ongoing battle against IUU fishing.