Ghana has joined 14 other countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific in adopting the Mombasa Declaration, a landmark commitment aimed at promoting transparency in global fisheries and intensifying the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The declaration was adopted during the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, on June 17, 2026, bringing together governments determined to strengthen ocean governance and safeguard marine resources for future generations.
The signatory countries include Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia and South Korea.
The declaration serves as a call to action for coastal and flag states to improve the collection, management and sharing of fisheries data, particularly information relating to fishing vessels, ownership, licensing and fishing activities.
It also seeks to advance the implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, which outlines ten practical and affordable policy principles for enhancing accountability in fisheries management.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, underscored the critical importance of fisheries to Ghana’s economy and food security.
“In my country, our very existence depends on fish. Sixty per cent of our animal protein comes from fish, and ten per cent of our population depends on the fisheries value chain for their livelihoods,” she stated.
She explained that fisheries remain central to Ghana’s culture, economy and national security, making transparency and accountability within the sector essential.
The minister expressed pride in Ghana being among the first countries to endorse the declaration, noting that it creates a platform for governments to work collectively to tackle illegal fishing and improve transparency across the sector.
“We are working together and fighting together for transparency in the fisheries sector,” she said.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continues to pose a major threat to marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide.
Industry experts estimate that IUU fishing costs the global economy as much as $50 billion annually, depriving legitimate fishers of income and reducing governments’ ability to manage marine resources effectively.
The practice has also been linked to declining fish stocks, food insecurity, unsafe working conditions and human rights abuses, including forced labour in some fishing fleets.
According to stakeholders, inadequate transparency in vessel ownership, vessel tracking and fishing activities has enabled many illegal operators to evade detection and accountability.
The Mombasa Declaration seeks to address these challenges through practical reforms such as modernising vessel registries, publishing fishing authorisations and improving information-sharing among governments and enforcement agencies.
The initiative was developed with support from the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency and its partners, who have been advocating stronger transparency measures in fisheries governance worldwide.
Director of the coalition, Maisie Pigeon, described the declaration as evidence of growing global momentum toward transparency in ocean governance.
She noted that the diverse group of countries endorsing the declaration demonstrates a shared understanding that sustainable fisheries and a thriving blue economy depend on accessible data, effective monitoring and accountable governance systems.
Vice President of oceana.org, Beth Lowell, said transparency was essential to protecting oceans and the livelihoods of millions who depend on fisheries.
Similarly, founder and chief executive of ejfoundation.org, Steve Trent, described transparency as a crucial tool for exposing abuses, supporting coastal communities and rebuilding confidence in sustainable fisheries management.
Chief Executive Officer of globalfishingwatch.org, Tony Long, noted that increased sharing of vessel identities, ownership records and tracking data would make it increasingly difficult for illegal fishing operators to evade scrutiny.
The adoption of the Mombasa Declaration marks the beginning of a broader international campaign to encourage more countries to commit to fisheries transparency ahead of the next Our Ocean Conference scheduled for 2027.
Signatory nations are expected to begin implementing the declaration’s commitments by strengthening fisheries monitoring systems, enhancing public access to information and promoting cooperation across borders.
Observers believe the initiative could play a significant role in protecting marine ecosystems, supporting coastal livelihoods and ensuring the long-term sustainability of global fish stocks.
