Fifteen governments from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific have endorsed the Mombasa Declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, agreeing to strengthen fisheries transparency and step up the global fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The declaration focuses on improving how fisheries data is collected, shared and accessed, with priority given to vessel identification, ownership records, licensing information and fishing activity tracking. It is intended to close long-standing information gaps that allow illegal fishing to persist in global waters.
It also reinforces the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a framework of 10 low-cost or no-cost policy actions designed to help governments improve ocean governance, strengthen accountability and support sustainable fisheries management.
Countries endorsing the declaration 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. The agreement is expected to be implemented immediately, while encouraging wider global adoption ahead of the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.
IUU fishing remains a major global concern, particularly for coastal states and small-scale fishers who depend on marine resources for income and food security. It is widely linked to declining fish stocks, weakened economies and environmental degradation, with global losses estimated at up to $50 billion annually.
The declaration seeks to address these challenges through practical transparency measures, including modernised vessel registries, publication of fishing licences and improved international data-sharing systems to support enforcement and compliance.
Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, said fisheries play a critical role in national survival, with millions relying on the sector for protein and livelihoods. She said Ghana’s participation reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding ocean resources through cooperation and transparency.
France’s Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fishery, Catherine Chabaud, said stronger international collaboration is essential to tackling illegal fishing, adding that transparency is key to effective fisheries governance.
The initiative was developed with support from the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency and partners working to advance global reforms in fisheries monitoring and accountability.
Coalition Director Maisie Pigeon said the growing number of endorsing countries reflects increasing global recognition that data and transparency are central to sustainable ocean management.
Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell warned that weak oversight has enabled destructive fishing practices for too long, while Environmental Justice Foundation CEO Steve Trent said transparency helps expose abuses and restore fairness in the sector.
Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long described the declaration as a major step forward, noting that improved data-sharing will make it more difficult for illegal operators to conceal their activities.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Antha Williams said better access to fisheries data will support stronger decision-making and long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems, particularly for vulnerable coastal communities.
