The African Marine Conservation Organization, AMCO, recently hosted a workshop in Yaounde for journalists to discuss Cameroon's new fishing law. On October 9, 2026, the organization equipped 20 media professionals with tools to enhance reporting on fisheries governance and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The project, "Promoting Fisheries Transparency and Good Governance in Cameroon," was funded by the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation.
Dr. Mbile Nguema Isaac Chavely, Fishing and Economy Expert at AMCO, discussed the evolution of Cameroon's maritime sector and recent legislative milestones. Following European Union sanctions and a "red card" designation in 2022-2023, Cameroon undertook comprehensive legislative reforms. A standalone legal framework was developed over a year of consultation and passed by the National Assembly in November 2024.
The new law establishes an independent legal code for fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood industries, resolving historical institutional registration overlaps. Key innovations include expanding monitoring and oversight over Cameroonian-flagged vessels operating in international waters and third-country EEZs. The law also incorporates Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) port inspection protocols and measures.
One significant change is the increase in maximum financial penalties for IUU fishing violations from 300 million FCFA to 1 billion FCFA. This move aims to serve as a meaningful deterrent. The law also establishes clear regulatory and fiscal incentives for inland and marine aquaculture to reduce national fish import dependencies.
The law's application decrees, governing conditions for fishing, aquaculture, and seafood industries, were signed and published by the Prime Minister on March 18, 2026. Dr. Mbile emphasized that dedicated funding from non-state partners played a crucial role in enabling inter-ministerial working sessions and meetings at the Prime Minister's office.
The new fishing law was promulgated by the Head of State on December 23, 2024 (Law No. 2024/019). This law marks a significant step in Cameroon's efforts to combat IUU fishing and promote sustainable fishing practices. The country has taken steps to address the issue, which has been a major concern for the international community.
The increased penalties and new regulations are expected to have a positive impact on Cameroon's fishing industry and the country's economy. The law aims to promote transparency and good governance in the sector, and the workshop hosted by AMCO is part of the efforts to raise awareness and ensure effective implementation of the new law.
Key points
- Cameroon increases penalties for IUU fishing to 1 billion FCFA
- New law establishes an independent legal code for fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood industries
- Law aims to promote transparency and good governance in the fishing sector
