Six member countries of the Fisheries Committee for the Central-West Gulf of Guinea (CPCO) – Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria – have convened in Lomé to strengthen cooperation and combat illegal fishing. The meeting, which began on Monday, May 19, 2025, concludes on Wednesday, May 21.
The discussions aim to foster dialogue around the challenge of illegal fishing, which undermines economies and threatens the food security of coastal communities in this fish-rich region.
The illegal exploitation of fisheries resources, often by foreign vessels, leads to significant economic losses, job losses, and the accelerated degradation of marine ecosystems. In response to this growing pressure, CPCO member states are working to establish a coordinated and sustainable approach.
Key measures being discussed in Lomé include the creation of a regional register of authorized vessels, which will centralize data, harmonize controls, and monitor fishing activity in real-time. The introduction of a strict biological rest period is also under consideration to help preserve fish stocks.
“It was time to develop a regional fisheries regime based on a common roadmap,” stated Kossi Ahoedo, advisor to the CPCO.
Togo, as the host country, intends to play a leading role in this process, particularly by focusing on cooperation to ensure the economic sustainability of its coastal areas.
