Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini

04-06 March 2024

The 16^th meeting of the SADC Regional Technical Team (RTT) for the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) was held in Mbabane, Eswatini 4-6 March 2024.  The meeting was attended by 21 people from the SADC Member States that have signed the Charter for Establishing the MCSCC and cooperating partners.  The meeting was kindly opened by The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Sydney Boy Simelane who expressed the Kingdom of Eswatini’s strong support for the SADC Centre.

Discussions among the Member States’ representatives focused on the implementation of the roadmap for the MCSCC, including a review of progress.  This included discussions related to recent IUU cases in the region, requirements for capacity building, implementation of a SADC Regional Register of Fishing Vessels and other initiatives in support of marine and inland Member States.

Participants also evaluated shortlisted candidates for the Board of Directors of the MCSCC, who will play a pivotal role in steering the MCSCC toward its future success.

Stop Illegal Fishing was represented by Mr. Per Erik Bergh, who spoke about the SADC Regional Register of Fishing Vessels both as a vital MCS and transparency tool and as a sustainability option for the MCSCC.

Stop illegal Fishing is an implementing partner supporting the SADC Regional MCSCC with technical expertise and coordination and is responsible to implement the SADC Atlantic and Oceans Vigilance projects in partnership with the MCSCC and the SADC Secretariat.