Fighting Illegal Fishing: Cameroon licenses 27 companies to fish in territorial waters
By Synthia Lateu
A total of 27 companies have been granted official licenses authorizing them to fish in the territorial waters of Cameroon. This list was published by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (Minepia) on March 26, permitting coastal industrial fishing for the 2025 fiscal year.
The ministry aims to mitigate the impacts of illegal and unreported fishing, which costs the national economy an estimated 20 billion FCFA annually, while the government spends 102 billion FCFA each year on fish imports. Minepia emphasised that products from this licensed fishing must be offloaded exclusively at designated ports. The vessels authorized to operate in Cameroonian waters are expected to catch fish and shrimp.
This list of fishing vessels is announced as part of an annual operation aligned with the global charter for transparency in fisheries. It reflects the authorities’ commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which has detrimental effects on the country’s economy.
With local demand for fish estimated at 500,000 tons per year, this measure is anticipated to enhance the availability of seafood in the country. According to Minepia data, in 2023, 19,157 tons of fish were caught in territorial waters, compared to 14,929 tons in 2022, representing an increase of 4,228 tons (28%).
In recent times, Cameroon has intensified its efforts against IUU fishing, a practice that threatens the sustainability of fish stocks and weakens the marine ecosystem. In 2024, the country adopted a law regulating subsidies in the maritime fishing sector, a decision partly driven by pressure from the European Union (EU). This came after the EU sanctioned the country in 2023 with a “red card” for its lack of cooperation in responsible marine resource management.
The effects of IUU fishing are particularly severe for the over 34,355 documented artisanal fishers who depend on this activity. Many are leaving the waters without sufficient catches and frequently encounter conflicts with large vessels.
