Signing of MoU cements collaboration between Global Fishing Watch and Gabon, begun in 2020, to strengthen oversight of the country’s fishing sector through the use of advanced satellite technology.
The government of Gabon has embarked on an ocean governance and responsible stewardship program in the country’s fisheries sector, through partnership with the Global Fishing Watch, an international organization advancing transparent ocean management.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties in late June, 2025, marks a strategic move in line with accelerating initiatives aimed at improving monitoring, control and surveillance of the Central Africa country’s vast marine resources, through the sharing of fisheries data.
“Gabon has chosen transparency, control and compliance with international standards,” said Laurence Mengue-Me-Nzoghe Ndong, Minister of the Sea, Fisheries and Blue Economy during the MoU signing ceremony.
By leveraging satellite technology and data analytics, the minister said, the partnership will support Gabon’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, “particularly in the country’s exclusive economic zone where intrusions by foreign vessels remain a persistent concern.”
Signing of the MoU cements Global Fishing Watch and Gabon’s collaboration which commenced in 2020, by initiating efforts to strengthen oversight of the country’s fishing sector through the use of advanced satellite technology.
Dame Mboup, Global Fishing Watch’s manager for Africa said the partnership enables smarter, more effective management of Gabon’s marine resources, benefiting both local communities and the broader West African ecosystem.
“By formalizing this agreement, Gabon is reinforcing its leadership in regional fisheries transparency and ocean governance,” said Mboup.
The agreement will see Global Fishing Watch support the country’s authorities with data, analysis and training support to boost surveillance of industrial vessels and small-scale fishing boats, monitoring of marine protected areas, implementation of the port state measures agreement and monitoring transshipment policies at sea.
The deal comes about a month after Gabon announced its withdrawal from a key fisheries partnership agreement with the European Union (EU), over “imbalance in benefits and growing concerns over resource exploitation.”
The agreement signed in 2007 gave European vessels express freedom to fish in Gabonese waters in exchange for financial support to Gabon’s fisheries sector.
While announcing Gabon’s withdrawal from the deal, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema termed the agreement as “lopsided,” adding that while European fleets have profited significantly, Gabon has seen limited returns.
With a coastline stretching 885 kilometers, Gabon ranks 16th among African countries, according to Tourismtattler.com.
In 2025, the country’s fish and seafood market is expected to generate US$367.94 million in revenue. The sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 7.5% from 2025 to 2030, reflecting Gabon’s increasing focus on harnessing its coastal resources for economic growth.