Fifteen national governments from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific have adopted the Mombasa Declaration, marking a major step toward strengthening global fisheries transparency and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The declaration was endorsed at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, where countries committed to improving access to fisheries data, enhancing vessel information systems, and strengthening accountability in the management of marine resources.
The initiative is aimed at addressing one of the world’s most persistent maritime challenges—illegal fishing—which undermines ocean governance, threatens food security, and costs the global economy an estimated $50 billion annually.
Push for transparency in global fisheries
At its core, the Mombasa Declaration calls on coastal and flag states to adopt practical transparency measures, including improved collection and publication of vessel ownership details, fishing licences, and real-time fishing activity data.
It also supports the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a framework outlining 10 low-cost or no-cost policy actions that governments can integrate into national law and enforcement systems.
Signatory countries include Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Korea.
Once adopted, the countries will begin implementing the commitments, with the declaration also serving as a rallying call for additional nations ahead of the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.
Coastal communities at the centre
The declaration highlights the impact of illegal fishing on coastal communities and small-scale fishers who rely on marine resources for livelihoods and food security.
In Ghana, which is among the early signatories, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Emelia Arthur said fish remains central to national survival, noting that about 60% of animal protein consumption comes from fish and the sector supports a significant share of livelihoods.
“In my country, our very existence depends on fish… Fisheries are a matter of culture and national security for us,” she said, adding that the agreement provides a platform for global cooperation in tackling transparency gaps.
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Global call for accountability
France also backed the initiative through its overseas territories, with Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fishery Catherine Chabaud stressing that stronger international cooperation and transparency are essential to ending illegal fishing.
“This initiative is based on a simple conviction: we will not be able to effectively combat IUU fishing without greater transparency and international cooperation,” she said.
The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, which supported the development of the declaration, said the agreement reflects growing global momentum for open data and stronger governance in the fisheries sector.
Coalition director Maisie Pigeon noted that countries joining the declaration represent diverse economies and geographies, calling it evidence that transparency is becoming a global standard.
Industry and conservation voices welcome move
Environmental and ocean governance groups also welcomed the declaration, saying it could transform how fisheries are monitored and regulated.
Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell said weak oversight has long enabled illegal fishing and supply chain abuses, while stressing that transparency is key to protecting ocean resources and coastal livelihoods.
Environmental Justice Foundation CEO Steve Trent added that transparency helps expose abuses and rebuild trust in fisheries management.
Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long said improved data-sharing among governments will make it harder for illegal operators to evade detection, while Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Environment Program head Antha Williams said better access to reliable data will improve decision-making and sustainability in marine governance.
Toward a more transparent ocean economy
Experts warn that IUU fishing is not only a conservation issue but also a driver of declining fish stocks, human rights abuses, and market distortion, particularly in developing coastal states.
The Mombasa Declaration is expected to accelerate reforms such as modernised vessel registries, publication of fishing licences, and enhanced information-sharing between countries.
As more nations are encouraged to join ahead of 2027, supporters say the declaration could mark a turning point in global efforts to make transparency the foundation of sustainable ocean governance.
