The duplicity of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy in third countries: Evidence from the Gulf of Guinea

The fisheries sector is a source of direct and indirect employment to an estimated nine million people in West Africa alone.

“The fisheries sector is a source of direct and indirect employment to an estimated nine million people in West Africa alone (Okafor-Yarwood, 2019).”

IUU fishing undermines the human security of coastal communities as its effects are reflected in less catch for fisherfolks, which in turn equates to less fish to sell, and thus hampers their ability to meet the needs of their families.

“IUU fishing undermines the human security of coastal communities as its effects are reflected in less catch for the fisherfolks, which in turn equates to less fish to sell, and thus hampers their ability to meet the needs of their families (The World Bank, 2013;Okafor-Yarwood, 2019).”

This development and its attendant effects could potentially lead to a deterioration of the already unstable relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon; there have already been reports of violent clashes between Nigerian fisherfolks and the Cameroonian gendarme.

“This development and its attendant effects should not be underestimated, as it could potentially lead to a deterioration of the already unstable relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon; there have already been reports of violent clashes between the Nigerian fisherfolks and the Cameroonian gendarme (Okafor-Yarwood, 2019).”

Nevertheless, there is evidence to conclude that fisherfolks engage in armed robbery at sea or indeed act as lookouts for robbers.

“Nevertheless, there is evidence to conclude that fisherfolks engage in armed robbery at sea or indeed act as lookouts for robbers (Okafor-Yarwood, 2019).”