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Recently, 15 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific adopted the Mombasa Declaration during the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Mombasa, Kenya to strengthen global cooperation against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
About the Mombasa Declaration
The Mombasa Declaration is an international agreement adopted by 15 countries to enhance global efforts in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, which has become one of the greatest threats to marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and coastal livelihoods.
The declaration is named after the Kenyan city of Mombasa, where the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) 2026 was held. It aims to improve transparency, accountability, and international cooperation in the fisheries sector by promoting better governance and information sharing.
Objectives of the Mombasa Declaration
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The declaration seeks to strengthen global fisheries governance by improving access to reliable information on fishing vessels, vessel ownership, licensing, and operational activities.
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It encourages countries to enhance data sharing, improve monitoring and surveillance, and strengthen law enforcement mechanisms to effectively identify and prevent illegal fishing activities.
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Its broader objective is to safeguard marine ecosystems, ensure sustainable fisheries, and protect the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on marine resources.
Countries that Signed the Declaration
The declaration was signed by 15 countries, namely:
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Belgium
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Cameroon
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Chile
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Dominican Republic
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France
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Gambia
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Ghana
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Guinea
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Liberia
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Panama
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Papua New Guinea
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Peru
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Republic of the Congo
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Somalia
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South Korea
These countries represent regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, reflecting broad international support for tackling illegal fishing.
Focus on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
The primary aim of the declaration is to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
Illegal Fishing
It refers to fishing activities carried out without permission, in violation of national laws or international conservation measures.
Unreported Fishing
It involves fishing activities that are not reported or are falsely reported to the relevant national or regional authorities.
Unregulated Fishing
It refers to fishing conducted in areas or for fish stocks where no effective conservation or management measures exist, or by vessels operating outside established regulatory frameworks.
IUU fishing contributes to overfishing, destroys marine habitats, causes huge economic losses, threatens food security, and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fishing communities.
Connection with the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency
The Mombasa Declaration supports the implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, which provides 10 policy principles to improve fisheries governance.
The charter promotes low-cost governance reforms, including:
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Modernisation of fishing vessel registries
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Publication of fishing licences and authorisations
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Transparency in vessel ownership
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Public access to fisheries information
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Improved international cooperation and monitoring
These measures are intended to make global fisheries more transparent and accountable.
Our Ocean Conference (OOC)
The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) is a major international platform dedicated to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of oceans.
It was launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State under the leadership of former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
The conference brings together governments, international organisations, businesses, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and NGOs to mobilise commitments for protecting marine ecosystems.
Since its inception, the conference has generated more than 2,600 voluntary commitments worth over USD 160 billion, making it one of the world's most influential platforms for ocean governance.
Major Focus Areas of the Our Ocean Conference
The conference focuses on six major themes that are central to global ocean sustainability:
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Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
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Sustainable Blue Economy
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Climate Change
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Maritime Security
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Sustainable Fisheries
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Marine Pollution
These themes aim to balance economic development with the long-term conservation of marine resources.
2026 Our Ocean Conference
The 11th Our Ocean Conference was held in Mombasa, Kenya, marking the first time the conference was organised on the African continent.
The theme of the conference was:
"Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future."
The event highlighted Africa's growing role in marine conservation, blue economy development, and sustainable ocean governance.
Importance of the Mombasa Declaration
The declaration strengthens international cooperation against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, improves transparency in fisheries management, and supports the sustainable use of marine resources.
It also contributes to achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting responsible fisheries, protecting marine biodiversity, and ensuring food security for coastal communities across the world.