By: Sarah Baafi
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has urged Atlantic African nations to unite in strengthening maritime governance at a high-level forum hosted by Morocco.
Addressing an assembly of ministers, experts, and stakeholders, Minister Emelia Arthur conveyed her gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s leadership in organizing the event and promoting regional cooperation. She highlighted the vast potential and challenges facing the Atlantic’s shared waters.
“Our Atlantic domain presents both immense opportunities and tremendous challenges,” she said. “We must work together, across borders and sectors, to turn our shared waters into engines of sustainable development, security, and prosperity.”
The Minister stressed the urgent need for collaborative action to address threats such as illegal fishing and pollution, while also pointing to the importance of scientific research and regional data-sharing for informed decision-making.
“Without better shared-knowledge-based governance, we will struggle to make the Atlantic a true driver of growth and resilience,” she warned. “Understanding the ocean is the foundation of protecting it. Training, technology, and local community engagement are critical to achieving this goal.”
In her closing remarks, Minister Emelia Arthur called for greater investment in scientific infrastructure, stronger partnerships, and the prioritization of maritime governance at the highest political levels.
“Together, we can unlock the Atlantic’s full potential—not just for our nations, but for the benefit of humanity,” she said. “Let us be the generation that preserves its richness for those who come after us.”
