A European Union ban on seafood from Cameroon is prompting local fleets to look toward China for investment, according to Edwin Ngwafor, who is the director of Timezone Marine Ventures, a Yaoundé-based firm with a permit for 40 vessels.
Ngwafor, who is also the deputy managing partner at a Cameroonian law firm, wants to attract a Chinese partner who can bring money and expertise to a joint venture project that would aim to sell species including barracuda, sole, tuna, and shrimp to local markets and abroad in Asia.
This comes as the E.U. in January 2023 designated Cameroon a “noncooperating country,” barring its fishery products from entering European markets because the country continues to register fishing vessels operating outside its waters without sufficiently monitoring their activities.
SeafoodSource spoke with Ngwafor about how Cameroonian fishing efforts aim to respond and adapt to the red card ban and what he personally aims to accomplish with his own fishing ventures.
SeafoodSource: Why do you seek new access to Asia? Would it not be better to fix the problems highlighted by the E.U. and retain access to that valuable market?
Ngwafor: The economic relationship between China and Africa is not a secret, and this is true across all sectors. China has played active roles in Africa in infrastructure projects, trade and commerce, telecommunications, defense, and security. Many fishing companies in Cameroon have focused on partnerships with China, especially following the unfortunate sanction meted out recently against Cameroon by the E.U.
Following the E.U. ban, local fishing companies in Cameroon have found the necessity to adapt and survive irrespective. They provide employment and sources of income to hundreds of thousands of people, and this is crucial for the local economy. Local companies believe the fostering and advancement of their partnerships with Asia in general, and China in particular, provide a viable commercial alternative which will, in turn, enable the realization of their business objectives.
This by no means implies that the Cameroonian government is resting on its laurels in the process to restore its credibility and relationship with the E.U. To address the problem, the [Cameroon] Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries is collaborating with other organizations to launch a project entitled “Stop IUU [illegal, unregulated, unreported] fishing in Cameroon.”
The project is implemented in collaboration with other institutions, such as Global Fishing Watch and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, along with Cameroon’s Ministry of Transport and the National Navy. There have also been several consultation meetings for the revision of the Cameroonian law on the governance of fishing and aquaculture and an inventory of the Cameroonian fishing fleet.
SeafoodSource: What is the opportunity for Chinese companies for fishing in Cameroon?
Ngwafor: There are wide-ranging opportunities in the sector for international fishing companies, including Chinese companies, especially given the fact that Cameroon continues to be unable to meet the nutritional needs in fishery products of the population, which are estimated at nearly 500,000 tons annually. Also, Cameroon is situated in a unique geographical location, which provides a varied diversity in fishery products and is favorable to quick export through the Douala Seaport, the main seaport in the CEMAC [Economic Community of Central African States] subregion.
Cameroon has a global reputation for the quality of its shrimp, which is highly prized in international markets. In addition to all these, there are several investment opportunities in niche areas, such as setting up industrial units for shrimp and fish, distribution chains, manufacturing fishing equipment, processing, and packaging units for fisheries products, as well as assembly plants for fishing vessels.
SeafoodSource: What kind of licenses does your company have and for which vessels?
Ngwafor: Our permit enables us to obtain up to 40 licenses which represent 40 vessels – trawlers or longliners – depending on the species of the product. Our permit allows us to get licenses for shrimp and fish and for deep-water fishing with vessels of a capacity of 250 tons or larger.
SeafoodSource: Do you have freezing and processing facilities?
Ngwafor: Our company does not currently have freezing and processing units; However, these can all be negotiated as part of partnership agreements.
SeafoodSource: Are you worried about various controversies in Ghana and Senegal featuring Chinese fleets overfishing and illegally fishing?
Ngwafor: The court cases in Ghana are an example such as the cases in the Spanish courts in Europe. These cases are specific in their own facts. Our company is not discouraged by the events in Ghana, as we believe these are unique and not wholly reflective of the general ethos of Chinese fishing companies.
There are thousands of Chinese companies engaged in fisheries partnerships all over the world, and if a fraction of these are naughty, it must not taint the image of those who are ethically sound. Our company is open to do business with responsible partners, including Chinese companies, and commits to adhere to local and international requirements against IUU fishing as we seek to establish a strong and respected global reputation.
SeafoodSource: Don't you think it would be far more valuable for you to catch and market the fish as a local firm rather than selling or renting licenses to a foreign investor?
Ngwafor: It will be more valuable for a local fishing company to catch and market the fish. However, most actors in the sector are plagued by poor supply of boats and fishing gear, processing, packaging, conservation, and distribution equipment. Furthermore, there is a lack of a qualified and experienced workforce with a mastery of techniques, particularly in regard to deep-water fishing.
As part of the partnership arrangement, the international companies could commit to transfer technical know-how to locals, as well as transfer of fishing vessels and equipment over time to the local company at an arranged cost. The local companies understand the need to grow organically, and this can be done under the guidance and mentorship of the international partner.
SeafoodSource: Why are you seeking to export to Asia if there is strong demand and a shortfall of supply in the Cameroonian market?
Ngwafor: The market is strong at home, and in fact, a quota of every catch is sold to the local market. This shall be agreed with any partners. The local company will be able to grow local market penetration when able to afford its own vessels, cold stores, and distribution channels. Therefore, it forms part of the plan for growth. With a strong and longstanding partner, the company can scale locally with a chain of cold stores.
SeafoodSource: Aside from market access, what are some of the challenges facing Cameroon’s fishing industry?
Ngwafor: There is overexploitation of demersal resources, a lack of mastery of techniques for capturing certain pelagic species in deep water, and an inadequate surveillance, control, and monitoring system for fishing activities. There is also a lack of regulatory texts and a failure to master modern aquaculture production techniques.
Photo courtesy of Ngwafor & Partners
