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After several years of hard work and relentless efforts in revising the law governing fisheries and aquaculture in Cameroon, December 2024 finally saw the enactment of a new law, No 2024/019 of December 23, 2024.

For the past 28 years, the law governing fisheries in Cameroon has been Law no 94/01 of January 20, 1994 on forestry, wildlife and fisheries. This law was not only obsolete but lacked provisions to address contemporary challenges faced in the fishery sector, such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The revision of Cameroon's fishery legislation is part of an expansive process which was initiated in 2006 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which never saw the light of day. Thanks to the “Stop IUU fishing” project funded by OCEANS 5 and spearheaded by the African Marine Mammal Organization (AMMCO) in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), the new law was crafted.

This new law modifies the 1994 law and aligns it with higher fisheries governance standards and global transparency requirements.

A series of extensive consultation meetings have been conducted with various stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organizations (CSOs), state actors involved in fishery management and fishermen to finalize the drafting of this new law.

This comprehensive new legislation introduces robust measures to address illegal fishing practices and aims to ensure the sustainable use of fishery resources, support coastal communities and strengthen the country's commitment to environmental protection.

During a meeting with stakeholders, MINEPIA's Minister echoed that the new law is indeed a “game-changer” for Cameroon's fishery sector as it underscores our commitment to protecting marine biodiversity while ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the wealth of our oceans.

The President of AMMCO expressed his deep satisfaction with the enactment of Cameroon's new fisheries and aquaculture law. He emphasized how the legislation strengthens provisions for the effective monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing fleets operating under the Cameroonian flag, addressing the issue of illegal activities that have tarnished the country's international reputation.

As such, to deter illegal fishing practices in the country, the new law imposes dissuasive penalties on perpetrators, including hefty fines ranging from 50,000 FCFA to 1,000,000,000 FCFA, suspension of licenses, and potential jail term.

Adopting a forward-thinking approach will therefore require all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the new law and collaborate with institutions involved in fishery management to ensure its successful implementation. To support this effort, a series of awareness campaigns will be carried out by the project team to raise awareness and address any concerns.