15 countries sign Kenya’s declaration to tackle illegal fishing

Fifteen countries have signed a new international agreement aimed at tackling illegal fishing, a practice that experts say costs the global economy as much as $50 billion every year and threatens marine ecosystems worldwide, as reported by The Associated Press on June 18th.

The agreement, known as the Mombasa Declaration, was adopted on June 17th during the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. The declaration commits participating governments to improving transparency in the fisheries sector by expanding access to information on fishing vessels, ownership records and licences, while also strengthening cooperation and data sharing between countries.

The signatories include nations from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, reflecting growing international concern over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, commonly known as IUU fishing.

Supporters of the declaration say greater transparency will help authorities better monitor fishing activities and enforce regulations, making it more difficult for illegal operators to evade detection.

The issue is particularly significant for developing coastal nations that rely heavily on fisheries for food and employment. Ghana’s Fisheries Minister Emelia Arthur said fish play a vital role in her country, providing more than 60% of animal protein consumption and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. She described fisheries as not only an economic resource but also a matter of culture and national security.

Experts warn that illegal fishing depletes fish stocks, undermines food security and places additional pressure on small-scale fishers who depend on healthy marine resources. The practice has also been linked to labour abuses and unsafe working conditions aboard fishing vessels.

The declaration builds on the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, which outlines policy reforms designed to improve fisheries governance through measures such as modernised vessel registries and public access to fishing authorisations.

Environmental organisations welcomed the agreement, arguing that increased transparency is essential to holding bad actors accountable. They said the declaration demonstrates growing international momentum behind efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable fishing industry.

Countries that signed the declaration are expected to begin implementing its commitments immediately, while organisers hope additional governments will join the initiative before the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.

The Associated Press, Maghrebi.org