BY CECE SIAGO
Kenya has called for stronger international collaboration to combat Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, describing the practice as a major threat to marine resources and coastal livelihoods.
Speaking during the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho said no country could tackle IUU fishing alone.
He urged governments to strengthen enforcement, share surveillance technologies and hold offenders accountable.
“Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing has no space today. It is a great challenge and we need to address it together,” Joho said during an interview.
Cabinet Secretary Hassan/Photo CeCe Siago
Delegates at the conference noted that IUU fishing costs the global economy up to USD50 billion annually, prompting 15 countries meeting in Mombasa to adopt the Mombasa Declaration aimed at strengthening transparency and cooperation against illegal fishing.
Joho further explained that the country was exploring measures including blacklisting countries, companies and vessels linked to illegal fishing activities.
He outlined key areas needed to address the challenge including a global banning system.
For instance, a vessel that commits a crime on the Kenyan territorial waters would be banned in the rest of the countries.
He further said countries should align policies in support of enforcement, and share surveillance and technology, that would reveal who operates in the country’s’ exclusive economic zones and whether they are licensed.
His call came as the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report 2026 was released during the conference being held for the first time in Africa.
The report raised concern over the sustainability of aquaculture, with IUU identified among the biggest threats.
Launching the report, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Manuel Barange warned that illegal fishing continues to undermine sustainable fisheries management.
“Illegal fishing is a problem in many places,” he said.
Barange urged countries to fully implement the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a legally binding international treaty designed to prevent vessels involved in illegal fishing from accessing ports and markets.
“Countries should make use of the PSMA to see whether there is a history or red flag on particular activities. They can inspect and decide to send it away,” he said.
He added that if more countries joined and effectively implemented the agreement, illegal fishing would become significantly less profitable.
Meanwhile, organizations working in the fisheries sector noted that efforts to combat IUU fishing should address the economic reality facing fishing communities.
WorldFish Kenya Country Representative Dr Rahma Adam said creating alternative livelihood opportunities would reduce pressure on fisheries resources and strengthen coastal community’s resilience while governments crack down on illegal activities.
“Addressing IUU fishing will create a condition where our fishers will be guaranteed of availability of fish throughout,” said Dr Rahma.
Despite several laws, Kenya continues to grapple with foreign vessels fishing while failing to report the fish catch data to relevant authorities.
Illegal fishing in Kenya has previously been linked to declining fish stocks in the Indian Ocean in Kenya.
This story was produced as part of the 2026 Our Ocean Conference Fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network
