Implementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement in Combating IUU Fishing in West Africa: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine resources, food secu-
rity, and governance in West Africa, where an estimated 37% of fish harvests are illicit.
The FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), adopted in 2009, is the first binding in-
ternational treaty to combat IUU fishing by restricting port access, mandating inspections,
and promoting information sharing. Nigeria’s accession in October 2022 was a milestone
for regional compliance, closing a critical enforcement gap within the Fisheries Commit-
tee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC). This study applies a governance im-
plementation framework, grounded in institutional and compliance theory, to assess Nige-
ria’s progress through legal alignment, institutional capacity, and operational readiness.
Content analysis of legislation, policy documents, and institutional arrangements shows
early reforms, including a draft Fisheries Bill, designation of entry ports, and pilot in-
spections. However, significant challenges remain: outdated laws, limited inspectorate
resources, fragmented interagency coordination, and weak integration with FAO’s Global
Information Exchange System (GIES). Nigeria is therefore positioned as a proactive but
capacity-limited PSMA Party. Sustained reforms, institutional investment, technological
modernization, and stronger regional cooperation are essential to operationalize commit-
ments, strengthen fisheries governance, and enhance West Africa’s deterrence against IUU
fishing