Cameroon commits to global fisheries transparency charter to combat illegal fishing

CAMEROON –  Cameroon has officially joined the Global Charter for Transparency in Fisheries, becoming the latest country to commit to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through international cooperation and improved oversight.

The announcement was made during the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, South Korea, where representatives of Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (Minepia) signed the charter. 

The agreement outlines 10 policy principles aimed at promoting vessel transparency, legal accountability, and ethical practices within global fisheries.

With a 400-kilometre Atlantic coastline and over 212,000 people dependent on fishing, Cameroon’s participation in the charter marks a significant step in its efforts to ensure sustainable seafood production and secure the livelihoods of its coastal communities.

“Cameroon supports the global charter for transparency and will work to implement these principles in the coming years,” said Irène Guy Mimbang, technical advisor at Minepia. 

“While transparency is not an end in itself, it is an essential lever in combatting IUU fishing for the benefit of the populations and economic actors who respect the rules. We understand that this is a long-term struggle, and we are doing our part to address these challenges.”

Cameroon’s fisheries sector is dominated by artisanal fishers, who generate more than 84% of the country’s annual fish production. 

Yet, the sector remains under pressure due to widespread IUU fishing, mostly perpetrated by foreign industrial trawlers operating without proper oversight. 

In some cases, these vessels have been linked to human rights abuses, raising alarm among local and international stakeholders.

According to the UK-based Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), several foreign vessels were found fishing in Cameroonian waters in late 2023 without appearing on the official registry. 

They only received permits in 2024 after switching names and operators, prompting concerns over regulatory loopholes. EJF founder and CEO Steve Trent welcomed Cameroon’s move but warned that implementation will be critical.

“This strong support for the charter shows that Cameroon is serious about building a fishing sector that is legal, ethical, and sustainable,” Trent said.

“The real winners will be the coastal communities and fishers, whose livelihoods and food security are at risk. We applaud the decision but recognise that much work remains.”

Weaning off international scrutiny 

Cameroon’s fisheries policy has come under increasing international scrutiny in recent years.

The European Union issued a “yellow card” in 2021, followed by a “red card” in early 2023, citing persistent shortcomings in tackling IUU fishing. The latest charter commitment is seen as an opportunity to reverse this negative trajectory.

Maise Pigeon, Director of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, echoed the importance of the charter’s adoption. 

“Without action, IUU fishing will continue to deplete fisheries, destroy ocean habitats, and threaten global food security,” she said. “There can be no accountability without transparency. Fisheries transparency is not just good governance, it’s essential for the long-term sustainability of our oceans and the livelihoods they support.”

The move also aligns with Cameroon’s ambitious national plans to scale up fish production from 225,000 tons in 2024 to 600,000 tons by 2027, as outlined in the Ministry of Finance’s economic programming document. 

The strategy includes a CFA680 billion investment through the Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import Substitution Plan (Piisah), aiming to reduce dependence on imports and close the country’s 270,000-ton domestic fish deficit.

Still, challenges persist. Fish production dropped by 1% in 2023, totalling 230,000 tons, far below internal demand. Officials remain optimistic that increased transparency and infrastructure investment will close the gap.

“Transparency is not an end in itself, but it is a powerful tool to fight illegal fishing, protect our communities, and support businesses that play by the rules,” said Mimbang. “We know this is a long battle, and we are committed to staying the course.”

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