Equipment donated to bolster environmental protection
Protecting aquatic biodiversity
GHANA: Having identified the urgent need to improve measures to monitor and protect aquatic biodiversity in during a scoping mission to Benin, Liberia and Nigeria last year, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) has received new equipment from the African Union Interafrican Bureau on Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) on behalf of its Member States.
The equipment includes an HF radio set for the FCWC’s Regional MCS Centre, and Samsung Galaxy tablets, GPS devices, and digital cameras for the Member States, which will significantly enhance their ability to conduct effective surveillance and data collection. It will also significantly bolster environmental protection activities in the Gulf of Guinea sub-region, enhancing efforts to conserve and protect aquatic biodiversity.
This new technology will also empower local authorities to better manage their fisheries resources, ensuring compliance with regulations and reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The equipment was procured as part of the activities under a joint project between FCWC and AU-IBAR, titled “Strengthening Regional MCS Systems for Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity and Environmental Management in the African Region,” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). This initiative is pivotal in building FCWC’s capacity to extend its environmental protection efforts, addressing critical issues related to aquatic biodiversity conservation.
The project aims to strengthen the operational capacities of FCWC Member States by providing the necessary tools and resources to effectively monitor and manage their marine environments. This initiative is vital in safeguarding the aquatic ecosystems that are crucial to the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the region.
Commenting on the handing over of the equipment, FCWC Secretary-General Dr. Gaston Djihinto stated, “The provision of this equipment marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to protect aquatic biodiversity in the Gulf of Guinea. By strengthening our equipment and capabilities, we are not only safeguarding our marine resources but also ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the communities that depend on them.”
1603