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FISH-i Africa Task Force meets in Kenya
The FISH-i Africa Task Force met in Nairobi, Kenya on June 2-4, 2015. The meeting bought together member countries, and for the first time the Task Force welcomed observers, both from the Western Indian Ocean region and from West Africa, where a similar regional Task Force is currently being established.
Professor Ntiba, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Kenya opened the meeting noting that ‘We continue to face many challenges with illegal fishing in our region, but we are determined to keep moving forward. Through FISH-i Africa Kenya, and the other member countries, are demonstrating their commitment to the monitoring, control and surveillance of their fisheries and we welcome the increased compliance to our fisheries laws that has resulted.’
Task Force members were able to celebrate the success of the groups work to date, most notably through the apprehension of vessels fishing illegally, the discovery of forged licenses and the continued information sharing, all of which are playing a part in increasing compliance and stopping illegal fishing.
The FISH-i Africa Task Force was recently made an International Technical Partner of the SADC IUU Task Force, and the systems of and lessons learnt from the work of FISH-i Africa will be used in the establishment of the planned SADC Regional MCS Coordination Centre in Mozambique.
Closing the meeting the Honourable Anthony Njaramba, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mombasa County Government, praised the commitment and determination shown by FISH-i Africa to end illegal fishing. ‘With the support of FISH-i-Africa, Kenya has made progress towards the ratification of the very important Port State Measures Agreement. I congratulate the two FISH-i Africa Task Force Members who have ratified the agreement. We need to use all the tools at our disposal to overcome the damage caused by illegal fishing.’
Stop Illegal Fishing coordinates FISH-i Africa, with support from the Pew Charitable Trusts and with technical expertise from the Fisheries Analytical Capacity Tank AS (FACT) and NFDS.
Photo Credit : Sally Frankcom