2024 Fishing Law Penalties Raised From 300 Million FCFA To 1 Billion FCFA

The African Marine Conservation Organization, AMCO on October 9, 2026 in Yaounde hosted a comprehensive capacity-building workshop for 20 media professionals from the MEFAR and REMAPSEN journalist networks. Organized under the project, "Promoting Fisheries Transparency and Good Governance in Cameroon" and funded by the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, the workshop aimed to equip journalists with analytical tools, data literacy, and legal knowledge to enhance media reporting on fisheries governance and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated, IUU fishing.

Legal Reforms

Speaking during the technical sessions, Dr. Mbile Nguema Isaac Chavely, Fishing and Economy Expert at AMCO, outlined the historical evolution and recent legislative milestones of Cameroon's maritime sector. Dr. Mbile explained that following European Union sanctions and a "red card" designation in 2022–2023 - issued primarily due to deficiencies in flag state control and vessel registration monitoring - Cameroon undertook comprehensive legislative reforms.

Standalone Legal Framework

Supported by the "Stop IUU Fishing in Cameroon" project (funded by Ocean 5 and implemented by AMCO, MINEPIA, and EJF), a standalone legal framework was developed over a year of rigorous consultation. It was passed by the National Assembly in November 2024, and promulgated by the Head of State on December 23, 2024 (Law No. 2024/019).

Flag State Governance

Unlike the previous 1994 framework, which grouped fisheries under forestry and wildlife laws, the 2024 law establishes an independent legal code for fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood industries. Key innovations introduced under the new law include resolving historical institutional registration overlaps between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, MINEPIA. While expanding monitoring and oversight over Cameroonian-flagged vessels operating in international waters and third-country EEZs.

Port Inspections

Incorporating Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO port inspection protocols and measures directly into national law prior to formal international ratification. Raising maximum financial penalties for IUU fishing violations from 300 million FCFA under the 1994 law to 1 billion FCFA today to serve as a meaningful deterrent. And establishing clear regulatory and fiscal incentives for inland and marine aquaculture to reduce national fish import dependencies in line with national economic strategy.

Application Decrees

Addressing a participant's question regarding the law's three application decrees (governing conditions for fishing, aquaculture, and seafood industries) 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 six inter-ministerial working sessions. And three sessions at the Prime Minister's office to meet tight deadlines without budgetary delays.

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