Scandal of $1bn illegal
fishing industry could destroy Africa’s fish stocks ‘within years’
unless urgent action is taken
International
Development Minister Gareth Thomas today issued a stark warning
that, if action isn’t taken immediately, illegal fishing could
have a devastating impact on fish stocks off the coast of Africa.
Experts say unless much tighter regulation and policing are
introduced, the over-fishing will also lead to the demise of the
local, more small-scale fishing industry, upon which tens of
thousands of fishermen and women depend for their livelihood.
The continent’s vast reserves of fish stocks are rapidly
dwindling due to industrial fishing boats catching massive
quantities of fish for export. They end up only keeping around a
quarter of their catch – throwing the rest back dead. Many then
sell their catch on illegally.
Experts say the problem costs African countries over £600 million
($1bn) a year, and devastates local economies which rely on the
fishing trade. The total cost to the world economy of illegal
fishing and poor management of marine stocks is an estimated £60bn
($100bn) every year.
Speaking at an Environmental Justice Foundation event in London
today, Gareth Thomas issued the warning that if illegal fishing
continues at its current rate, fish stocks will be devastated
within years.
Apart from the disastrous environmental impact, millions of
people whose lives depend on the fishing industry will not have a
way to make a living, and will be pushed back into poverty, he said.
Illegal fishing vessels from elsewhere in the world are catching
vast quantities of fish around the coast.
The practice of illegal fishing undermines food supply chains,
deprives fishing communities of sustainable livelihoods, and
steals a vital source of income from developing nations.
International Development Minister Gareth Thomas
said: “It is time to finally end the
scourge of illegal fishing off the coast of Africa.
“While huge factory ships catch vast and
unsustainable quantities of fish, many traditional fishermen are
unable to catch enough to make a living.
“The problem for them is worsening rapidly. The
fishermen and women who have practised this sort of sustainable,
small-scale fishing for generations are suffering the most in
all this.
“I call on world leaders and regulators to take a
much more effective approach to monitoring fish stocks, policing
fishing and fishing rights, and ensuring that fish stocks
survive for generations to come.’
Gareth Thomas referred to the new Partnership for African
Fisheries programme that DFID is funding through the African Union
and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
The £7m programme will address both illegal fishing and create
better managment of the fisheries. The programme will in
particular be working closely with and supporting organisations
such as Environmental Justice Forum.
The leader of Sierra Leone, President Koroma, recently
highlighted the issue of this illegal fishing. He said Sierra
Leone was not allowed to export fish to the EU, but fish caught
illegally in the nation’s waters are repackaged elsewhere and end
up for sale across Europe.
Contacts:
Laura McCleary.
Phone: 020 70231912
l-mccleary@dfid.gov.uk