Nigeria to leverage €59m EU West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme for marine resource management
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nigeria has expressed its readiness to utilize the €59m West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme WASOP to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated IUU fishing and enhance the sustainable management of its marine resources. This was announced by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, following a meeting between the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot. The meeting, held in Abuja, reaffirmed both parties' commitment to deepening cooperation on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance. Minister Oyetola highlighted WASOP as a timely opportunity to strengthen coordinated action against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance, and promote sustainable exploitation of marine resources across West Africa. He emphasized that IUU fishing poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods, food security, and national security. Nigeria aims to fully engage with the program to attract technical and financial support for enhanced enforcement capacity and to boost its blue economy ambitions. Ambassador Mignot reiterated the EU's commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with Nigeria and supporting regional efforts for safer and more sustainable oceans. He noted that WASOP, an EU-funded initiative, is designed to promote integrated ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management, and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems across West
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