With the adoption of the Framework by ECOWAS Member States, it is expected that the fisheries and aquaculture sector will be better organised and, above all, that the livelihoods of fishermen and all stakeholders in the sector will be improved.

The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays an important social, economic, and political role in West Africa, particularly as: (i) a source of employment, income, and foreign exchange earnings, (ii) a major contributor to regional food security and the main supplier of animal protein to feed many people, and (iii) a key element in the livelihoods of coastal communities. It contributes more than 15% of the region gross domestic product and almost 3% of rural economic activities.

However, the sector faces many challenges such as poor management of fish stocks, illegal fishing and lack of coordination and cooperation between regional institutions and competent national authorities.

Faced with these challenges, the sector ministers for fisheries and aquaculture validated, on 2 November 2020, the Detailed Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The drafting of the policy document was supported by the EU-funded programme "Improving Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance in West Africa (PESCAO)".

The overall objective of the Framework is to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture contribute to the satisfaction of food and nutrition needs, social and economic development and poverty reduction of communities depending on fish for their livelihoods. The document will be submitted to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Heads of State Authority in 2021 for adoption.

To recall, the PESCAO programme is aimed at a better regional fisheries governance in West Africa through better coordination of national policies. It is implemented through the establishment of a partnership with the Sub-regional Fisheries Commission, the Fisheries Committee of the Central West Gulf of Guinea, and the European Fisheries Control Agency.