A new regional initiative, the ‘Fisheries Without Borders’ (FWB) project, was launched at the University of Ghana, uniting fishers, scientists, regulators, and community leaders to address the rapid decline in fish stocks. The project, unveiled alongside a policy dialogue, aims to tackle the sustainability of coastal livelihoods and perceived inadequate governmental policy responses to the crisis, operating across Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin from 2026 to 2027.
Context of Declining Marine Resources
The launch comes amid growing alarm over the state of marine ecosystems and the economic impacts on coastal communities dependent on fishing. Fish stocks, particularly in West Africa, have seen significant depletion over recent decades, driven by a complex interplay of factors including overfishing, climate change, and inadequate cross-border management policies.
The FWB project is funded by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors through the Blue Convergence Fund and is led by the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Nigeria. In Ghana, the University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences and the Wildlife and Human Resource Organisation are key implementing partners. Organisers have indicated that the initiative could be expanded to other West African nations if its initial phase proves successful.
The Challenge of Transboundary Fish Stocks
A central challenge for the FWB project is managing fish populations that migrate freely across national maritime boundaries. Current policies and enforcement mechanisms, however, remain largely fragmented and country-specific, hindering effective conservation and management efforts.
Professor F.K.E. Nunoo, Ghana’s country lead for the project, highlighted the severity of the decline in marine fish production. “There were times we got 900,000 tonnes from marine fisheries. Now we are at 400,000 and it is still going down,” he stated, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action.
Gathering Local Insights for Policy Reform
The Ghana engagement follows similar stakeholder dialogues held in Benin and Nigeria. These sessions are designed to gather crucial local insights and perspectives, which will be instrumental in developing more effective and responsive policy frameworks.
Speaking virtually, Project Lead Dr. Toyosi explained that the initiative’s core objectives include improving marine ecosystems, enhancing the climate resilience of coastal communities, and fostering the development of more adaptive policy structures.
Empowering Women and Documenting Traditional Knowledge
Participants at the launch event also raised critical points regarding governance and resource management. There was a strong call for greater inclusion of women in fisheries governance, with advocates demanding mandatory representation in decision-making bodies.
Furthermore, the need for improved access to essential infrastructure such as cold storage and fish processing facilities was emphasized. These improvements should be accompanied by access to affordable financing to support local fishers and processors.
The importance of documenting traditional ecological knowledge, particularly from elder women within fishing communities, was also highlighted as a valuable, yet largely underutilised, resource for sustainable management practices.
Strengthening Legal and Regional Cooperation
Representatives from environmental agencies noted advancements in legal frameworks. Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted its new EPA Act as evidence of enhanced legal backing for climate action initiatives.
The Fisheries Commission of Ghana and the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), an intergovernmental body representing six countries, formally endorsed the project’s regional approach. This backing signifies a commitment to more coordinated management of shared marine resources.
Implications and Future Outlook
The Fisheries Without Borders project is poised to contribute significantly to more coordinated management of marine resources across the sub-region. By bridging policy gaps and fostering regional cooperation, it aims to support the long-term sustainability of fisheries and the coastal livelihoods that depend on them.
Moving forward, the success of the FWB project will hinge on its ability to translate dialogue into concrete policy changes and implementable solutions on the ground. Observers will watch closely to see if this collaborative, cross-border approach can effectively reverse the trend of declining fish stocks and build greater resilience in West Africa’s vital coastal economies.
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