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 security,
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 international
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 Committee
for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC). This study applies a governance implementation
framework, grounded in institutional and compliance theory, to assess Nigeria’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 inspections.
However, significant challenges remain: outdated laws, limited inspectorate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 commitments,
strengthen fisheries governance, and enhanceWest Africa’s deterrence against IUU
fishing.