By: Julius Konton
West African nations have taken a bold step toward safeguarding their marine resources with the official launch of the West Africa Sustaining Ocean Program (WASOP) in Tema, Ghana.
The initiative aims to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a major threat to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The launch event brought together high-level stakeholders, including Ghana’s Minister of Fisheries, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, and regional leaders from across West Africa.
Their collective message was clear: no single country can tackle illegal fishing alone.
As part of the program, a new partnership has been formed with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) to conduct joint maritime patrols, bringing European expertise to bear on West Africa’s enforcement efforts.
As part of the initiative additional key components of the program include: the technical planning for coordinated operations in Nigeria and Liberia, scheduled for November 2025.
Others include, the Development of a regional system to track and authorize fishing vessels, improving transparency and enforcement across national waters
“This is a game-changer for ocean protection in our region,” said one participant.
“The energy and commitment in the room were amazing as countries coming together, sharing ideas, and building real solutions. This is what regional cooperation looks like.”
Over the period, Illegal fishing has long posed a serious challenge in West African waters, depleting fish stocks, undermining legal fishing operations, and threatening food security.
Speaking at the launching program, Ezekiel Allen, Chief of Office Staff to the Director General of National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia said the launch of WASOP represents a coordinated and proactive response, rooted in shared systems and regional solidarity.
With this new phase of collaboration, West African nations are signaling a united front to protect marine biodiversity and secure the long term sustainability of fisheries, a vital source of income and nourishment for millions across the region.
