Marine litter is a global problem and has increased substantially in recent years. This report provides a summary of the results achieved by the EAF-Nansen Programme as part of its Science Plan, through additional funding received under an addendum, on the occurrence and impacts of marine litter and microplastics in the Gulf of Guinea. Three areas of work were identified, which allowed to improve the understanding of the presence of microplastics in marine ecosystems, generate knowledge on the occurrence of marine debris through the use of the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, enhance the capacity of the countries involved and provide scientific foundations for appropriate action at various levels. An improved sampling protocol for marine debris was developed and successfully tested.There has been a perception in the Gulf of Guinea region that the presence of marine litter could have an adverse effect on the beach seine fishery. A study was conducted in four countries, namely Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, to gather sociodemographic, fisheries and environmental data to record the impact of marine litter on the fishing communities. A separate report on the study is available. The results of the study are expected to inform local, national and regional management actions to devise actions to reduce the impact of litter in fishery.

The EAF-Nansen Programme in collaboration with the Benguela Current Convention (BCC) hosted a workshop to share learning among fisheries managers and scientists about the management of fishing activity that affects fish stocks shared by Angola, Namibia and South Africa in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem. This report presents lessons and key challenges from the participants’ assessment of the history of shared stock management in the region and the network of fisheries actors influencing this management. It then synthesizes visions of shared stock management in 2035 proposed by the participants. Based on the workshop outcomes, the EAF-Nansen Programme is working with the BCC and national agencies to identify and advance priority actions towards the visions in the region.

Legislating for the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is complex, due to the holistic nature of EAF involving multiple factors that underpin the social, economic, environmental, and institutional aspects of fisheries sustainability. These factors include ecosystems integration, risks, intersectoral collaboration, research, participatory processes, monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement, among others. To assess how the EAF is being implemented through national policy and legal frameworks, FAO developed A diagnostic tool for implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries through national policy and legal frameworks.The present legal report on the EAF used the diagnostic tool to assess the alignment of selected policy and legal instruments of Cameroon with the EAF. This assessment analysed the extent to which 82 EAF legal requirements, which are considered the minimum standards in legislating for the EAF, are reflected in Cameroon's policies and legislation relevant to the fisheries sector of the country and other relevant sectors (such as environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and maritime affairs). Based on this preliminary diagnosis, gaps were identified in the assessed instruments, and recommendations were made for improving the implementation of the EAF.This report was elaborated following a participatory approach with the involvement of the national competent authorities of Cameroon. Drafted in October 2021, the report was revised and further developed in September 2023, and submitted to the national authorities of Cameroon in October 2023.

Legislating for the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is complex, due to the holistic nature of the EAF involving multiple factors that underpin the social, economic, environmental, and institutional aspects of fisheries sustainability. These factors include ecosystems integration, risks, intersectoral collaboration, research, participatory processes, monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement. To assess how the EAF is being implemented through national policy and legal frameworks, FAO developed A diagnostic tool for implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries through national policy and legal frameworks.The present legal report on the EAF used the diagnostic tool to assess the alignment of selected policy and legal instruments of Equatorial Guinea with the EAF. This assessment analysed the extent to which 82 EAF legal requirements, which are considered the minimum standards in legislating for the EAF, are reflected in Equatorial Guinea's policies and legislation relevant to the fisheries sector of the country and other relevant sectors (such as environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and maritime affairs). Based on this preliminary diagnosis, gaps were identified in the assessed instruments, and recommendations were made for improving the implementation of the EAFThis report was elaborated following a participatory approach with the involvement of the national competent authorities of Equatorial Guinea. Drafted in November 2021, the report was revised and resubmitted to the national authorities in August 2024. The report was endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in December 2024.

Legislating for the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is complex, due to the holistic nature of the EAF involving multiple factors that underpin the social, economic, environmental, and institutional aspects of fisheries sustainability. These factors include ecosystems integration, risks, inter-sectoral collaboration, research, participatory processes, monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement, among others. To assess how the EAF is being implemented through national policy and legal frameworks, FAO developed A diagnostic tool for implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries through national policy and legal frameworks.The present legal report on the EAF used the diagnostic tool to assess the alignment of selected policy and legal instruments of Mauritius with the EAF. This assessment analysed the extent to which 82 EAF legal requirements, which are considered the minimum standards in legislating for the EAF, are reflected in Mauritius' policies and legislation relevant to the fisheries sector of the country and other relevant sectors (such as environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and maritime affairs). Based on this preliminary diagnosis, gaps were identified in the assessed instruments, and recommendations were made for improving the implementation of the EAF.This report was elaborated following a participatory approach with the involvement of the national competent authorities of Mauritius. Drafted in November 2021, the report was submitted to the national authorities of Mauritius in November 2021. The report was revised and resubmitted to the national authorities in June 2023. Additional information was provided in July 2023 and a copy of the newly promulgated Fisheries Act 2023 was made available in December 2023. The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries (Blue Economy and Fisheries Division) endorsed this EAF Legal Report of Mauritius in November 2024.