Mozambique wants international consultation to ‘harshly’ punish illegal fishing

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi called this Monday in Maputo for a “regional and international agreement” so that illegal fishing is classified as a “transnational crime” and “severely punished.”

“Our country advocates for regional and international consultations to ensure that illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is classified as a transnational crime, strictly punishable given its serious harmful consequences,” Nyusi said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction. Regional Monitoring, Control and Enforcement Coordination Center (MCSCC) of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Construction of the MCSCC in the Katembe area on the outskirts of Maputo, officially established in 2023, is due to be completed in 15 months with World Bank funding, the head of state added, and is already scheduled to take about 20 months. years.

“Its implementation required that a letter of commitment and accession be signed by each member state. It has been a very long and slow process, but thanks to our persistent diplomacy, consultation and determination, 12 of the 16 SADC countries have achieved this. has already signed a letter, expected for more than 20 years, allowing construction of the center to begin,” he added.

The SADC Declaration of Commitment to Combating Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing was endorsed by SADC Fisheries Ministers in July 2008, identifying as priorities, among other things, “improving regional and interregional cooperation to eradicate” illegal fishing. .

“This is how, through regional and international cooperation aimed at combating unreported and unregulated illegal fishing, Mozambique has been one of the pioneers in implementing initiatives to create an environment closed to these harmful practices through the exchange of information related to vessels. who commit illegal acts,” Nyusi said.

The official added that by joining this “great, unique and innovative endeavor” that will “serve the region’s purpose,” SADC is “demonstrating its high sense of responsibility.”

“Strong connectivity in the maritime domain, reflected in the growing demand for maritime space for purposes other than fishing or maritime transport, requires us all to take a holistic, integrated and cross-border approach. Activities such as hydrocarbon exploration, tourism, scientific research, among others, are susceptible to illegal behavior and practices, with emphasis on drug trafficking, illegal fishing, environmental pollution, etc.,” he noted.

Nyusi also stated that the sea “is an important natural resource whose exploitation must be sustainable” so that it “always remains the main source” of “food and income within the blue economy” that Mozambique is “promoting.” , remembering that 60% of the country’s population is concentrated on the coast, depending on this ratio.

According to the head of state, Mozambique’s “vision and vision” is to transform the center, the construction of which began today, into “a modern infrastructure with technologies capable of significantly improving the maritime surveillance and inspection system at the regional level.”

Nyusi explained that the center’s “mandate is to coordinate efforts and measures to improve monitoring, control and inspection” of fisheries “to eradicate unreported and unregulated illegal fishing.”

“By its nature, the Indian Ocean is rich in fishing resources, supporting a thriving fishing industry, the commercial value of which makes the region one of the world’s top illegal fishing destinations. Crime at sea is devastating our maritime wealth, corroding our economies and increasingly slowing down our development as a country, as a region and as a continent,” he concluded.