By Sylvanus OBASI
The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos, convened a significant community engagement session on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Threats in Nigeria’s Gulf of Guinea Zone” on June 30, 2025, at its Conference Room in Lagos.
The event formed part of NIOMR’s mandate under the Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa (MarCNoWA) initiative, a regional project supported by the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program of the African Union.
The engagement sought to strengthen local capacity, foster collaboration, and raise awareness among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s marine and coastal sectors about the dangers posed by IUU fishing—a growing threat to marine ecosystems, national food security, and economic sustainability.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, often driven by transnational criminal networks, has continued to undermine Nigeria’s fisheries management efforts.
The Gulf of Guinea, with its abundance of marine resources, remains particularly vulnerable due to inadequate enforcement, limited data monitoring, and weak community participation in surveillance activities.
In her opening remarks, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibifubara Ayaobu-Cookey of NIOMR emphasized the importance of empowering fishing communities with the right knowledge and tools to identify and report IUU fishing activities.
She noted that “sustainable fisheries begin with informed communities,” calling on all stakeholders to see ocean protection as a shared responsibility.
Delivering a technical presentation on “The Socio-Economic Impact of IUU Fishing and the Role of Communities in Detection and Reporting,” Dr. Ayaobu-Cookey highlighted how IUU activities rob coastal families of livelihoods, disrupt marine biodiversity, and reduce government revenue. She advocated for stronger collaboration between local fishermen, the Nigerian Navy, and the Federal Department of Fisheries.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Bolaji Dunsi of NIOMR delivered a presentation on “Using Satellite and Earth Observation Tools for Marine Monitoring.” He demonstrated how new technologies under the GMES framework are improving vessel tracking and data sharing among West African maritime agencies.
According to him, “Earth Observation data has become a game-changer in marine surveillance and regional cooperation.”
The engagement attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from the Federal Department of Fisheries, the Nigerian Navy (Maritime Security Unit), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Regional Fisheries Committees, FAO Nigeria, the University of Lagos Department of Marine Science, and local fishermen associations from Lagos, Badagry, and Ondo.
A notable highlight of the event was the participation of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica – Nigeria Chapter), whose representatives underscored the need for gender-inclusive strategies in community-based marine protection initiatives.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions discussing the challenges of reporting illegal fishing and the benefits of community-driven monitoring systems. Practical demonstrations were given on how to use mobile and digital tools to report suspicious fishing activities in real time.
The workshop also emphasized the need for harmonized regional laws and community-based surveillance networks, especially in areas where official monitoring is limited. Stakeholders agreed that sustainable fisheries management requires continuous dialogue, data sharing, and public sensitization.
At the close of the engagement, participants received certificates of attendance and advocacy materials to support further community sensitization efforts. NIOMR pledged to continue working closely with its partners to expand similar outreach programs across Nigeria’s coastal states.
The Executive Director of NIOMR, Prof Sule Abiodun in a goodwill message, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s leadership role in marine research, data-driven monitoring, and environmental protection under the GMES and Africa framework.
The community engagement concluded with a renewed pledge among participants to strengthen local vigilance, report violations promptly, and promote sustainable fishing practices across Nigeria’s Gulf of Guinea maritime zone.
PHOTO CAPTION: A cross-section of participants at the Community Engagement on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Threats in Nigeria, organized by the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos.
