Yaoundé, Cameroon — October 8, 2024
Today, Government ministries representatives and other local stakeholders convened in Yaoundé to review and validate the findings of a comprehensive Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) assessment aimed at bolstering Cameroon’s Industrial fisheries sector. This initiative is part of the U.S. Department of State-funded DWFV project, focusing on combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign actors in the Gulf of Guinea’s industrial fisheries.
The workshop, organized by CEMLAWS Africa and the University of Cape Coast’s Centre for Centre for Coastal Management in partnership with African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO), seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within the local fisheries framework. The two-day event includes presentations and training on the Strategic Control System (SCS) to address challenges posed by foreign fishing vessels.
Keynote speeches from Dr. Takoukam Kamla Aristide of AMMCO and Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali of CEMLAWS highlighted the project’s goals and achievements. Discussions covered the legal framework for maritime space, international fisheries management instruments, and ethical considerations for implementing the SCS.
The workshop underscores Cameroon’s commitment to sustainable fisheries, aiming to protect local resources and strengthen regional cooperation against IUU fishing practices.