New partnership with Gabon offers vital step towards stronger port controls that combat illegal fishing

Gabon's Minister of the Sea, Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ms. Laurence Ndong with Ms. Viviane Koutob - West Africa Program Lead for TMT

In an important milestone in the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Africa, TMT and the Government of Gabon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Libreville. The signing, attended by Gabon’s Ministry of Fisheries, government officials and technical partners, underscored a unified commitment to strengthen fisheries governance, and reinforces a shared commitment to tackling legal fishing though enhanced technical assistance, capacity building and real-time information sharing.

The partnership is already delivering results, with the signing of the MOU taking place at the same time as Gabon’s first national inter-agency workshop, dedicated to the implementation of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) almost twelve years after the ratification of the Agreement. The multi-agency event brought together participants from Gabon’s Ministry of the Sea, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Ministry of Transport, Merchant Navy and Logistics, Ministry of National Defense, fisheries monitoring and surveillance agencies, maritime police, and other national bodies. With the active participation and opening statement of Minister of the Sea, Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ms. Laurence Ndong and the presence of the Minister of Transport, Mr. Ulrich Manfoumbi, the workshop underscored Gabon’s strong commitment to enhancing fisheries governance and implementing the PSMA. In her opening statement, Ms. Ndong, stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation and communication and how the workshop was a valuable opportunity for different stakeholders and agencies to establish this foundation.

This type of collaboration among national agencies is crucial for effective implementation of the PSMA, which Gabon ratified in 2013. As the 11th African State onboarded into the joint TMT-Global Fishing Watch Intelligence-led Fisheries Port Controls programme, Gabon will receive PSMA implementation assistance in the form of intelligence analysis, training and technology to support decisions around port entry by an inspection of foreign fishing – and fisheries related – vessels.

Workshop participants noted the unique opportunity to engage with colleagues from different agencies, facilitating open discussions regarding regulatory gaps, best practices, port controls, and the prioritization of technical support needs.

Driving Innovation

TMT’s technical team delivered in-depth training of the Intelligence-led Fisheries Port Controls Programme and its key component and support stages, such as the elaboration of a PSMA Port Profile, which provides a comprehensive baseline analysis of port use by foreign-flagged fishing vessels over a three-year period. The Port Profile is designed to equip national authorities with actionable intelligence on vessel operations, supporting better risk targeting for port inspections and reducing the opportunities for IUU fishing. The experience of other countries as part of the programme was also shared to provide an insight on the kind of benefits that could be expected under this support.

The workshop featured hands-on training with Vessel Viewer, an advanced application developed by TMT and Global Fishing Watch, as members of the Joint Analytical Cell, enabling participants to analyse vessel activity, verify identities, assess Advance Requests for Entry into Port, and spot suspicious activities. This real-time, data-driven approach will enable Gabonese authorities to strengthen port entry assessments and improve decision-making.

Aligning Visions

The signing of the MOU affirms a commitment to increased information sharing and paves the way for TMT to provide ongoing support to Gabon in the application of the PSMA and broader MCSE Monitoring, Control, Surveillance and Enforcement efforts, including advanced technical assistance, expanded training opportunities, and streamlined information sharing.

The MOU is also an integral part of the Blue Cordon initiative—an Africa-wide endeavour to bolster port measures and close gaps exploited by illegal fishing operators, reinforcing the collective mission to ensure compliance, and sustainable fisheries across the region. By harmonizing inspection standards, leveraging technology, and fostering regional and inter-agency collaboration, the agreement sets a new benchmark for proactive fisheries governance in the country and region.

The outcomes of the Libreville workshop and the new MOU mark the beginning of a strengthened partnership between TMT and Gabon. As a member of the Commission Régionale des Pêches du Golfe de Guinée (COREP), the partnership strengthens TMT’s work with both Gabon and interregional collaboration with other regional fisheries bodies in Africa.

TMT remains committed to supporting Gabon and its partners in their drive towards securing fisheries resources —laying the foundation for a sustainable blue economy across Africa and setting a global example of collaboration in the fight against IUU fishing.