In an interview with DataCameroon, Steve Trent, CEO and founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), discusses Cameroon’s accession to the Global Fisheries Transparency Charter.

Cameroon has joined the Global Charter for Transparency in Fisheries. What is your reaction to this decision, and how does it represent a step forward for the country?

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) welcomes Cameroon’s accession to the Global Charter for Transparency in Fisheries, a strategic step towards the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the fight against illegal fishing (IUU).  In a region like Central Africa, this approach strengthens the protection of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. By adopting transparency principles–such as the publication of licenses, vessel tracking, and the identification of beneficial owners–Cameroon has equipped itself with effective and inexpensive tools capable of playing a central role in the fight against these scourges, contributing to the establishment of legal, ethical, and sustainable global fisheries. The positive impacts for the fisheries sector in general, and for small-scale fishers in particular, are significant: equitable access to resources and the preservation of their livelihoods. This initiative also positions Cameroon as a regional model that reconciles environmental sustainability and economic development.

EJF, however, emphasizes the importance of translating these commitments into concrete actions: modern surveillance systems, cooperation with civil society, and rigorous enforcement of regulations.  This commitment embodies a vision where transparency, sustainability, and social justice converge. EJF calls on other coastal states to follow this example to preserve the oceans.

How will this initiative contribute to the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Cameroonian waters?

Progress toward a safe and sustainable ocean rests on a fundamental truth: you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Without knowing who is fishing, what, where, when, and how, efforts to combat illegal fishing, human rights violations, and ecological collapse will remain fragmented and ineffective. Governments can break this cycle by mandating transparency: publishing fishing license lists, identifying the beneficial owners of fishing activities, and monitoring vessel operations. These measures make it much more difficult to evade responsibility or introduce illegal products into global markets. Ending these interconnected crises starts with identification. The Global Transparency Charter offers simple and low-cost steps to achieve this. By systematically revealing the links between illegal fishing, human rights violations, and environmental degradation, transparency becomes a powerful tool for simultaneously tackling these three challenges.

For example, transparency can dismantle the systems that enable modern slavery, murder, and other atrocities at sea. With today’s technologies, we have the means to eliminate these abuses permanently—failing to act would be unjustifiable. At the same time, transparency empowers responsible actors: fishers and companies that respect the law, prioritize sustainability, and protect human rights gain a competitive advantage. This fosters a race to excellence, where ethical practices thrive. The benefits are widespread. Fishers can secure sustainable livelihoods while strengthening local economies. Crews can work in safe and fair conditions. Marine ecosystems—essential to all life on Earth—can regenerate. None of this is hypothetical: it’s within our grasp, right now. Governments and fisheries authorities hold the key: transparency paves the way for a future where people and the planet thrive together.

Cameroon’s adherence to the Global Charter for Transparency in Fisheries, combined with its full implementation, will strengthen the fight against IUU fishing through several principles. Currently, the country partially implements seven (07) of the ten (10) principles of the charter, including: -Principle 1: Every eligible fishing and support vessel should (after promulgation of the implementing decree of the law governing fisheries and aquaculture) be required to have a unique identification number (IMO), a condition for its registration in the FAO global register. -Principle 2: Since 2023, Cameroon has published the official list of vessels authorized to fish every six months. -Principles 3, 7, and 10: The identification of beneficial owners, the traceability of catches, and the collection of crew data are currently being integrated into the new legal framework. -Principles 5 and 6: The use of satellite vessel monitoring systems will become mandatory for all fishing and support vessels upon adoption of the new implementing decree. Transshipments at sea are prohibited, and those in harbor are strictly regulated.

It is important that Cameroon address the remaining challenges in order to begin implementing the other three principles of the Charter. While transparency is not an end in itself, it remains a key tool for countering IUU fishing, supporting both coastal populations and economic actors who comply with regulations.

In your opinion, what are the main challenges Cameroon will face to effectively implement the principles of this charter?

The implementation of the Global Charter for Transparency in Fisheries in Cameroon faces several major obstacles. The country lacks sufficient technical and logistical capacity, particularly to deploy surveillance technologies (AIS/VMS systems, control centers) capable of countering illicit practices by trawlers, such as transponder deactivation or identity changes. Although Law No. 2024/019 strengthens the legal framework, its implementation remains limited by operational gaps, weakening the impact of sanctions. More effective inter-ministerial coordination and increased collaboration with regional and international partners are essential to combat flags of convenience, track IUU fishing activities, and optimize real-time data sharing.

Furthermore, Cameroon must accelerate the ratification of key international instruments, such as the AMREP, which is an international tool against illegal fishing, by requiring ports to check vessels and refuse entry to those that are not in compliance, and ILO Convention C 188, which guarantees decent working conditions for fishers, by regulating health, safety, wages and contracts, to align its practices with the principles of the Charter. Finally, the sustainability of the reforms will depend on the mobilization of sustainable financing and continued political commitment, without which the measures risk remaining theoretical, despite their urgent need for the preservation of fisheries resources.

Can you explain how transparency in fisheries management can directly benefit small-scale fishers and the coastal communities that depend on this sector?

The fisheries sector is a key pillar of livelihoods for thousands of families, particularly in coastal areas, where it contributes to both the local economy and food security for many communities that rely on fish as their primary source of protein. It is important to emphasize that it is not only direct fishing-related jobs that depend on the sustainability of small-scale fisheries, but also a whole chain of related activities, including those of fish processors, traders, and distribution players.

However, faced with an estimated annual demand of 500,000 tonnes, the country suffers from a structural deficit in fisheries production. In 2023, national production reached approximately 241,000 tonnes, an increase but still below the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2030 (SND30), which prioritizes the sustainable management of natural resources—including marine and coastal resources. This imbalance has increased dependence on imports, increasing pressure on public finances. It should be noted that 80% of this production comes from artisanal maritime fishing.

IUU fishing remains a major obstacle, threatening the sustainability of resources and the sector’s balance. Transparent fisheries management, through the publication of licenses, sanctions, and vessel monitoring (using systems such as VMS), could mitigate unfair competition and preserve fish stocks, which are vital for coastal households. This approach would also strengthen the economic and environmental security of local communities. Finally, by integrating these communities into resource governance, transparency helps protect their livelihoods while optimizing catches, which benefits national production and consumption.

What concrete measures should Cameroon adopt to strengthen vessel traceability and fishing activity reporting, given the country’s ongoing challenges in securing its waters?

Cameroon must prioritize concrete measures to improve vessel traceability and fishing activity monitoring. First, deploy accessible technologies (AIS/VMS satellite systems) and a dedicated monitoring center would help identify vessels that deactivate their transponders or operate illegally near the coast. Second, ratifying and strictly enforcing international agreements (AMREP, C188) is crucial. This includes monitoring incoming vessels, assigning all vessels a unique number that remains attached to them throughout their existence, regardless of changes in name or ownership. This principle, similar to that of a car license plate, ensures that any violations can be identified and addressed appropriately, and publishes licenses, beneficial owners, and penalties in real time (in accordance with the Fisheries Law).

Third, strengthen the skills of BCSAP agents through training, harmonize vessel registers (inter-ministerial collaboration), and cooperate regionally to monitor transnational fleets and enforce sanctions in accordance with current regulations. Finally, involving coastal communities in participatory surveillance using the DASE (KoboToolbox) technology tool, the pilot phase of which has already begun in the Douala-Edéa area with technical support from EJF, would strengthen the detection of illegal intrusions into their artisanal fishing zones (less than 5 nautical miles). Funding could come from international or national partners, but success will depend on the political will to sustain these reforms. Transparent management would protect marine ecosystems and the 25,000 dependent artisanal fishermen.

How does this approach fit into a perspective of sustainability and responsible management of marine resources?

Cameroon’s adherence to the Global Charter is part of a logic of sustainability and responsible ocean management. First, coupled with the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement ratified in 2024, it combats overfishing and the collapse of fish stocks. This requires the traceability of illegal activities (IUU fishing) and regulation based on reliable data. Tools such as satellite tracking (AIS/VMS) and public catch audits prevent overexploitation, promoting species reproduction and the balance of marine ecosystems. Second, this initiative supports a resilient blue economy. By regulating access to resources, it protects the incomes of the 25,000+ artisanal maritime fishers and local industries dependent on fishing, ensuring their socio-economic sustainability. Third, it strengthens social justice by integrating coastal communities into resource governance. Their active participation—reporting violations, documenting illegal practices, or contributing to policies—avoids their exclusion and ensures the equitable distribution of benefits from fishing.

Cameroon’s adoption of the Global Transparency Charter and signing of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) perfectly illustrate the country’s will and commitment to playing a leading role in sustainable ocean governance. The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), to be held from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, France, represents a unique opportunity for Cameroon to actively participate and demonstrate its commitment and leadership on the international stage—and to chart a path toward more equitable, sustainable, and human-rights-respecting fisheries.

Produced by Hyacinthe TEINTANGUE (intern)