Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department is giving to West African countries that are victims of illegal fishing.

DFID works closely with partner Governments to promote sustainable fishing practices, helping to reduce the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in West Africa and across the world.

As part of our commitment to protecting the global environment, the Government has provided £250 million in funding to the Global Environment Facility’s 7^th replenishment (2018-2022), which helps strengthen the management of fisheries and marine-protected areas.

DFID provides a core contribution to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, which supports countries in sustainable fisheries management. Progress is set out in their flagship report ‘State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture’.

DFID is also supporting sustainable small-scale aquaculture through the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, and our support has contributed to improving the fish-based livelihoods of 51,235 households and 72,264 people.