The  Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture ,Hon. Emelia Arthur , delivered a compelling address this week at the High-Level Forum of Atlantic African Nations, calling for a united approach to maritime governance, scientific collaboration, and sustainable development across the Atlantic seaboard.

Speaking to an esteemed gathering of ministers, experts, and stakeholders, Minister Arthur expressed her deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco for hosting the forum and commended Morocco’s leadership in fostering regional cooperation.

“Our Atlantic domain presents both immense opportunities and tremendous challenges,” Minister Arthur stated.

“We must work together, across borders and sectors, to turn our shared waters into engines of sustainable development, security, and prosperity”, she added.

She underscored the importance of collaborative maritime governance, highlighting how oceans and seas support trade, fisheries, tourism, and untapped marine resources, while warning of threats such as illegal fishing, pollution, and weak institutional frameworks.

“Without better shared-knowledge-based governance,” she cautioned, “we will struggle to make the Atlantic a true driver of growth and resilience.”

Key themes from her speech included:

Strengthening institutional capacity to enforce maritime laws Combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

Enhancing marine science and data-sharing across nations Investing in ocean observation technologies and research Building sustainable blue economy initiatives that benefit local communities

Minister Arthur emphasized that building marine knowledge is vital to informed decision-making, urging greater investment in scientific research and regional data-sharing platforms.

“Understanding the ocean is the foundation of protecting it,” she said, adding that training, technology, and local community engagement are critical to achieving this goal.

In her closing remarks, she issued a strong call to action: Prioritise maritime governance at the highest political levels Invest in scientific infrastructure and innovation Strengthen partnerships and harmonize regional policies Build local and national capacity for long-term resilience.

“Together, we can unlock the Atlantic’s full potential—not just for our nations, but for the benefit of humanity,” Minister Arthur concluded. “Let us be the generation that preserves its richness for those who come after us.”