By Mamadou Edrisa Njie
The Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO/COMHAFAT) in English & French, respectively, one of the oldest fisheries cooperation conventions in Africa, clocks thirty (30) this year.
It all started in 1989 with the crucial importance of the fishing activities of the coastal communities of all countries along the Atlantic Coast of Africa. The direct and indirect effects of the exploitation of fish stocks and their waters are of particular importance to the concerned States and their communities, according to the statement contained in ATLAFCO/COMHAFAT 30 years’ anniversary newsletter.
In its editorial on ‘Milestones and Challenges’, Mr. Abdelouahed Benabbou, Executive Secretary of ATLAFCO, wrote that, no state is able to cope alone with the challenges posed by the falling stocks, illegal fishing, maritime safety, jeopardizing the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources, especially in Africa.
He added that it’s through precursory concepts, ATLAFCO has contributed immensely to the sensitization on the need for cooperation and pooling of resources. “Not always with ease, but with consistency. After a certain latency, the momentum was given in 2009, with the signing of the Headquarters Agreement at El Jadida between the Moroccan Government and ATLAFCO, paving the way for a new era for the institution, which hence forward, has new means and all the attributes of a true inter-governmental cooperation organization.”
With legal status and appropriate funding, he said ATLAFCO is ready for business: strengthening of networks (women, training and research), reinforcement of regional cooperation, participation in major fishing events in Africa and in the world, diversification of partnerships.
The Executive Secretary hailed the support of the twenty-two (22) Member States, and partners’ collaboration, through which they were able to meet the exciting challenges facing ATLAFCO. The most immediate, he cited, is the transformation of a cooperation organization into a “Regional Fisheries Management Organization” (RFMO), with compelling measures for the Parties.
As Executive Secretary Benabbou opined, the project is on track. In this perspective, he held that the ATLAFCO group could pride itself as a voice to reckon with, regarding the strengthening and harmonization of “Africa’s voice” in international circles where decisions on fisheries resources are made.
