Can local communities curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in Cameroon's Douala Edea National Park?

October 8, 2025

"Local Communities Join Fight Against Illegal Fishing in Cameroon's Marine Park" Local fishermen in communities along Cameroon's Douala-Edea National Park are facing serious threats from Chinese industrial trawlers that destroy their fishing nets and equipment, creating financial hardship for these communities. Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is supporting the establishment of Local Collaborative Management Committees (LCMCs) to address illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing that has resulted in the EU issuing a "red card" to Cameroon in 2023. These newly formed 10-person committees, with representatives from various ethnic groups including Cameroonians, Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Beninese, aim to facilitate collaboration between communities and government authorities to monitor illegal activities and implement sustainable resource management.

Who is affected

Local fishermen in Mbiako, Yoyo I, and Yoyo II settlements
Fishing communities comprising people from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin
Women in the fishing communities, particularly market women who provide loans
Marine ecosystems in Douala-Edea National Park, including fish populations and mangrove habitats
The broader Cameroonian fishing industry that now faces EU market restrictions

What action is being taken

Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is supporting the establishment of Local Collaborative Management Committees (LCMCs)
The newly formed 10-person LCMCs are being installed in fishing communities to monitor illegal activities and collaborate with authorities
EJF is providing technical guidance through its global toolkit for participatory fisheries governance
Local committees are working to mediate between communities and the government
The Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society is partnering with EJF to provide technical support to the committees

Why it matters

Chinese trawlers are destroying local fishermen's equipment, causing financial hardship and creating a "spiral of debt"
IUU fishing practices are depleting fish populations by catching immature fish and preventing reproduction
The EU has issued a "red card" to Cameroon in 2023, blocking fisheries products from entering the EU market
Mangrove ecosystems that serve as breeding grounds for fish are being overexploited
The new collaborative approach gives voice to marginalized groups including women, youth, and ethnic minorities
Sustainable management of marine resources is critical for both conservation and the livelihoods of fishing communities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices