How West Africa can unlock additional value from fisheries, by expert
West Africa’s fisheries sector produces about 3 million tones of fish annually, a pioneer Regional Director of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Africa Chapter, West Africa Region, Dr. Lanre Badmus,
- By Daniel Essiet
West Africa’s fisheries sector produces about 3 million tones of fish annually, a pioneer Regional Director of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Africa Chapter, West Africa Region, Dr. Lanre Badmus, has said. WAS is the apex aquaculture body in the world.
He noted that improved governance and better resource management could unlock an estimated $300 million in additional annual income.
He maintained: “Overall, West Africa’s fisheries remain indispensable for food, jobs, and economic growth, but are under severe strain from overfishing, weak regulation, and environmental change, making urgent reform essential.”
He said production grew from roughly 2.4 million tons in 2009 to a peak of 3.6 million tons in 2016, before declining to around 3.0 million tons by 2020. His words: “The region contributes approximately 32 percent of Africa’s total fish catch and 21 percent of aquaculture output, with major producers including Nigeria at about 1.17 million tons, Senegal at 486,000 tons, and Ghana at 394,000 tons.”
According to him, the sector is a critical economic pillar, supporting more than 9 million jobs and contributing about 15 percent of GDP across ECOWAS countries. “It underpins coastal livelihoods and is largely driven by informal and artisanal fishing, while women play a dominant role in post-harvest activities, accounting for up to 75 percent of the workforce in some areas.
He pointed out that fish is central to food security and nutrition, providing nearly two-thirds of animal protein intake in parts of the region, with average consumption at about 12 kilograms per person per year. “Small pelagic species such as sardines make up over half of total consumption, ensuring affordable protein for low-income populations.”
However, he stressed that the sector faces significant sustainability challenges. “More than half of fish stocks are overexploited, with many fisheries either fully exploited or depleted. There is a clear long-term shift from large, high-value species to smaller, lower-value fish, reflecting ecosystem degradation and the phenomenon of ‘fishing down the food web.’ Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing accounts for roughly 18 per cent of total catch, exacerbated by industrial overfishing and foreign fleets.”
He added that environmental pressures are intensifying, as climate change alters species distribution, increases the dominance of warm-water species, and raises operational costs as fishing fleets travel farther. “Destructive practices such as bottom trawling, dynamite fishing, and the capture of juvenile and endangered species further undermine sustainability.”
He noted that despite rising demand driven by a projected regional population of about 795 million by 2050, fish production is stagnating or declining, posing serious risks to food security, employment, and social stability in coastal communities.
Meanwhile, two Nigerians are set to be inaugurated into the Board of Directors of WAS. Dr. Foluke Areola will serve as President of WAS, while Dr. Lanre Badmus will serve as Global Director.
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Areola, a former President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) and its first female president, is also a former President of the African Chapter of WAS. Badmus is a former Vice President of FISON and pioneer Regional Director of the WAS Africa Chapter, West Africa Region. Dr. Areola is the first Nigerian and African to become WAS President, while Dr. Badmus assumes the position of Global Director.
WAS was founded in 1969 as the World Mariculture Society. Since its inception, its membership has grown to more than 3,000 members in about 100 countries, representing the global aquaculture community.
Although world aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 28.8 million metric tons, valued at $45.4 billion in 1997, the society believes aquaculture production will have to expand at least twofold to meet global demand for fisheries products by 2025.
