Executive Committee
Mark Ssemakula
Chairperson
Mark plays a lead role in representing the work of Stop Illegal Fishing in international fora as well as in supporting SIF behind the scenes.
Mark has a background in fisheries science and environmental management and has experience in both fisheries compliance and policy development.
Mark has an extensive history with Stop Illegal Fishing having been a long-standing member of the Executive Committee, including as Vice-Chair since 2021. Mark was an active and integral member of the Secretariat since SIF’s formation until 2020. During these years he worked closely alongside the previous two Chairs of Stop Illegal Fishing, the late Geofrey Nanyaro of Tanzania (serving from 2012 to 2015), and Elsa Patria of Mozambique (serving from 2016 to 2021).
‘As we face multiple challenges to counter the damaging effects of climate change and the rising global population, pressures on fisheries resources increase Stop Illegal Fishing provides much needed support to African States to build awareness and capacity to stop illegal fishing. Our focus on developing and nurturing strong networks that have led on establishing information exchange mechanisms and collaborative approaches will continue. This is a proven and low-cost means of tackling what is all too often an entrenched problem.”
Dedi Seraphin
Vice Chair
Seraphin Dedi has recently retired from his long-term position as the Executive Secretary of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), a regional body for fisheries in West Africa consisting of six member states – Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. During his tenure, the FCWC developed into a significant regional coordination and harmonization body that supported member states in engaging with international processes such as the Global Record, Cape Town Agreement (CTA), and the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
Dedi has made his most significant contributions to regional progress in the MCS area. He facilitated the FCWC West Africa Task Force, which served as a regional information sharing and cooperation mechanism to combat IUU fishing. Under his leadership, the FCWC established the regional MCS Centre, initiated the regional fisheries joint patrol, and implemented the fisheries closed season in West Africa.
Since January 2023, Dedi has been back in Cote d’Ivoire, his home country. He has a mission to energize the management of improved landing points for artisanal fisheries value chain development.
Nicholas Ntheketha
Vice Chair
Nicholas Ntheketha is a seasoned fighter against illegal fishing, having worked for the Kenya State Department of Fisheries in various capacities for over three decades, until his retirement. During his tenure, he assumed the role of Assistant Director of Fisheries, responsible for managing Kenya’s fisheries within their Exclusive Economic Zone. His primary focus was on overseeing long liners and purse seiners in the oceans and ports.
Nicholas was the Chair of the FISH-i Africa Task Force for several years and, where his extensive experience in combating illegal fishing proved to be an asset.
Despite his retirement, Nicholas continues to be actively involved in the fight against illegal fishing, he believes that we need to develop robust and permanent mechanisms, integrate intelligent tools, expand our network, and work towards combating IUU fishing globally, making it impossible for illegal operators to benefit from their illicit business.
Per Erik Bergh
Secretary
Per Erik Bergh is one of the founding members of Stop Illegal Fishing and in addition to being the Secretary he leads its Investigative Unit. With over 40 years of experience in maritime and fisheries fields, Per Erik is highly passionate about fighting illegal fishing and helping operational MCS staff bring offenders to justice. His extensive network is built upon years of experience with the Norwegian coastguard, global travel and engagement in international fishery and maritime affairs, and more than three decades of living and working in Africa.
Per Erik has worked in over 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and America.
He has been involved in the development of fishery management plans, focusing on the MCS element, and has worked in various aspects ranging from training inspectors to supporting regional and international negotiations of fisheries instruments. Through his work with Stop Illegal Fishing, Per Erik has uncovered the extent of illegal activities happening in our oceans daily. By partnering with coastal, market, flag and port States, NGOs and the international community, he is helping to identify what needs to change, and progress is being made.
In recognition of his outstanding service in the interests of Norway, Per Erik was awarded The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Knight First Class) in 2016. On presenting the award, the Norwegian Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, Botswana and Madagascar, Her Excellency Trine Skymoen, stated that “Norway as a fishing nation recognizes the importance of sustainable and well managed fisheries worldwide. We have long assisted developing countries tackle the complex practical challenges involved in deterring and preventing illegal fishing. Stop Illegal Fishing has provided an innovative approach as well as real hands-on support and advice where it is needed most. The huge contribution of Per Erik and his colleagues to fighting IUU is recognized and valued by Norway.”
Sandy Davies
Treasurer
Sandy is a founding member of Stop Illegal Fishing and serves as its treasurer. She holds degrees from Aberystwyth and Aberdeen Universities and has 40 years of experience in international development, having lived and worked in Africa for three decades.
Sandy’s career in fisheries began in a sea urchin factory in Vancouver followed by two years spent as a fisheries observer working on trawlers and jiggers in the South Atlantic, before becoming a squid and hake scientist in the Falkland Islands. Leaving South America, Sandy moved to Africa, initially to conduct research into Nigerian inland fisheries, before moving to Namibia to assist in the establishment of their new fisheries administration in 1995. In 1999, she joined the Southern African Development Community – SADC – with her first job being to support the negotiation for the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. Following this, as the SADC Fisheries Expert based in Botswana, she oversaw the inland and marine fisheries and aquaculture project portfolio.
Today, she works in national, regional and international policy development, inter-agency dialogues, regional integration, research and analysis, focusing on support to fisheries decision makers and MCS officials to better understand and act against IUU fishing. Sandy has worked with many African fisheries administrations and international organisations including RFMOs, the FAO and with civil society, she regularly presents at conferences and meetings and is the author of a wide range of popular and academic fisheries publications.
Steven Ambabi
Executive Committee Member
Steven Ambabi is a seasoned fisheries officer having worked in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Namibia for his entire career, most recently holding the position of Deputy Director of Technical Services for nine years.
Steven expressed his excitement at joining the highly talented and dedicated team of experts, stating that together, they can make a difference by strengthening SIF’s networking strategy. This strategy, Steven believes, should prioritise those who respect and have an obligation to all conservation measures agreed upon nationally and by RFMOs.
Hosea Mbilinyi
Executive Committee Member
Hosea Mbilinyi is an expert in Fisheries and Environment, with vast experience in Fisheries Management and MCS. He began his career as a Lecturer at the Fisheries Training Institute, a Zonal Officer In-charge responsible for MCS, an in-charge responsible for Fish Inspection and Quality Assurance. He has since held various positions such as Assistant Director of Fisheries responsible for MCS; Director of Fisheries Development Division for the United Republic of Tanzania; Director General of the Deep Sea Fishing Authority, and currently, an International Independent Expert on Fisheries and Environment.
Hosea has participated in several important processes within Africa including through the African Union and the SADC, in particular he engaged in the development of the ‘SADC Statement of Commitment against IUU fishing’. He was also involved in the preparation and supervision of a successful “Operation Jodari,” which was an international partnership of cooperation initiatives involving the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, Stop Illegal Fishing, Sea Shepherd, and other International Non-Government Organizations.