Fifteen national governments from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific have adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, committing to strengthen global fisheries transparency and intensify the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The declaration calls on coastal and flag states to improve the collection, sharing, and accessibility of fisheries data, with a strong focus on vessel information, licensing systems, and fishing activities. It also advances the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, which sets out 10 low-cost or no-cost policy principles aimed at improving governance and accountability in the fisheries sector.
Countries endorsing the initiative include Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Korea. Once adopted, signatories will begin implementing the commitments, while the initiative also opens a pathway for additional countries to join ahead of the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.
Coastal communities and small-scale fishers remain among the hardest hit by IUU fishing, which undermines food security, destroys livelihoods, and accelerates the depletion of marine ecosystems. The new declaration seeks to address these challenges by improving transparency in vessel ownership, strengthening enforcement systems, and promoting equitable management of ocean resources.
Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, said fisheries remain central to national survival and economic stability. “In my country, our very existence depends on fish. Sixty percent of our animal protein comes from fish, and ten percent of our population depends on the fisheries value chain for livelihood,” she said. “Fisheries are a matter of culture and national security for us.”
France also expressed support through its overseas territories. Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fishery, Madame Catherine Chabaud, said transparency is critical to tackling illegal fishing. “We will not be able to effectively combat IUU fishing without greater transparency and international cooperation,” she noted, adding that France hopes more countries will adopt the framework.
Developed with support from the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency and its partners, the declaration promotes reforms such as modernised vessel registries, publication of fishing authorisations, and improved data-sharing among states to enhance enforcement.
IUU fishing remains a major global challenge, costing the world economy an estimated $50 billion annually. It also contributes to declining fish stocks, weakens coastal economies, and is frequently linked to human rights abuses, including forced labour and unsafe working conditions. Experts say limited transparency in vessel ownership and fishing activity continues to enable these crimes.
Coalition for Fisheries Transparency Director Maisie Pigeon said the growing number of supporting countries reflects a global shift toward stronger ocean governance. “The countries signing the Mombasa Declaration today represent a diverse range of economies and geographies, demonstrating that momentum for transparency at sea is truly global,” she said.
Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell warned that weak oversight has long enabled destructive fishing practices. “Transparency is essential to protecting our oceans and the livelihoods of those that depend on them,” she said.
Environmental Justice Foundation CEO Steve Trent added that transparency helps expose abuse and rebuild trust in fisheries management, while Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long described the declaration as a “turning point” that will make it harder for illegal operators to hide.
Bloomberg Philanthropies Environment Program head Antha Williams said improved access to reliable data will strengthen decision-making and support healthier marine ecosystems, adding that the initiative reflects a shared global commitment to sustainable fisheries management.
