15 Governments Adopt Mombasa Declaration to Boost Global Fight Against Illegal Fishing

Fifteen national governments from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific have adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, marking a coordinated push to improve global fisheries transparency and curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The declaration, which targets both coastal and flag States, calls for stronger systems to collect, share, and publish vessel and fisheries data. It places particular emphasis on improving access to information on vessel ownership, licensing, and fishing activity—key gaps that have long hindered enforcement efforts.

It also strengthens momentum behind the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a framework outlining 10 low-cost or no-cost policy principles that governments can integrate into national laws and operational systems.

Broad international backing

The initiative has been endorsed by Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Korea.

Officials say participating countries will now begin implementing the commitments, with a wider global campaign expected ahead of the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.

Tackling the impacts of illegal fishing

Illegal fishing remains a major global concern, particularly for coastal communities and small-scale fishers who depend on marine resources for food and income. Beyond undermining livelihoods, IUU fishing distorts markets, weakens ocean governance, and contributes to the depletion of fish stocks.

Experts estimate the practice costs the global economy up to $50 billion annually. It is also linked to serious human rights abuses, including unsafe working conditions and forced labour, often enabled by weak transparency in vessel tracking and ownership structures.

Commitments to reform

Through the Mombasa Declaration, signatory states have committed to practical reforms, including modernising vessel registries, publishing fishing authorisations, and improving information-sharing between enforcement agencies.

These measures are intended to strengthen accountability and promote more sustainable and equitable management of marine resources.

Global support for transparency push

Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, said fisheries are central to national survival, noting that “60 percent of our animal protein comes from fish,” and described the declaration as a vital platform for joint international action against illegal fishing.

France’s Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fishery, Catherine Chabaud, said transparency and cooperation are essential to ending IUU fishing, adding that stronger political commitment is needed to make transparency the norm in global fisheries governance.

The declaration was developed with support from the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, alongside researchers and practitioners working to improve governance in the sector.

Coalition director Maisie Pigeon said the diversity of countries signing the agreement shows that momentum for ocean transparency is “truly global,” while urging further reforms in fisheries governance systems worldwide.

Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell warned that opaque fishing practices have depleted fish stocks and enabled illegal activity, stressing that transparency is critical to protecting oceans and coastal livelihoods.

Environmental Justice Foundation CEO Steve Trent said transparency is key to exposing abuses and rebuilding trust in fisheries management.

Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long described the declaration as a turning point, saying that open data and vessel tracking systems will make it harder for illegal operators to hide.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Environment Program head Antha Williams added that improved access to reliable data will support better decision-making and stronger marine resource management.

The Mombasa Declaration is expected to serve as a foundation for expanded international cooperation on fisheries transparency ahead of 2027, as governments work to translate commitments into enforceable reforms.