Member states of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) are stepping up their crackdown on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
A second joint maritime surveillance operation, conducted in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone, led to the interception of 13 offending vessels, highlighting the progress of regional cooperation against a threat that undermines West Africa’s marine resources. Dubbed “SOO SALÉ,” the operation ran from June 15 to 29, 2026, drawing in fisheries administrations, national navies, and enforcement agencies from all three nations. The campaign aimed to tighten maritime surveillance and improve the enforcement of anti-IUU fishing regulations across the shared waters.
Throughout the two-week mission, authorities inspected 79 vessels, boarding and detaining 13 for various regulatory infractions. The SRFC noted that these results confirm the effectiveness of a strategy built on pooling human, technical, and operational resources. The success of the campaign relied heavily on the Sub-Regional Operations Coordination Post, based at the National Center for Fisheries Surveillance and Enforcement (CNSP) in Conakry. This platform coordinated patrols and enabled real-time information sharing among participating agencies, making interventions swifter and more targeted.
Beyond immediate operational results, this second joint mission marks a broader shift in West African maritime governance. Facing cross-border illegal fishing, member states are increasingly turning to collective action to safeguard marine stocks, protect coastal livelihoods, and secure state revenues derived from the fisheries sector. The deployment was part of the AGIR-IUU project, an SRFC initiative supporting member states by strengthening surveillance capabilities, harmonizing inspection procedures, and enhancing information sharing. Through this framework, the organization aims to cement sustainable regional cooperation to protect the oceans and foster a thriving blue economy in West Africa.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA