News

NOAA training for the FISH-i Africa Task Force

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnered with the FISH-i Africa Task Force and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy (FishFORCE) to conduct training at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Gaborone, Botswana from 7-11 November 2016.

A total of 32 Government officials attended the training, including representatives from six of the eight FISH-i Africa Task Force countries (Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Tanzania).

Training sessions were led by experts from NOAA, the FISH-i Africa Technical Team, including Stop Illegal Fishing and NFDS, as well as experts from FishFORCE. Presenters focused on how best to use national, regional and international laws and policy, together with the correct investigation, collection, and presentation of evidence, to bring about enforcement action. The participants’ wealth of experience in fisheries enforcement, prosecution, and management contributed to the ability of the group as a whole to share information, experiences, and lessons learned on topics relevant to fisheries enforcement and prosecution in the region.

Per Erik Bergh thanked NOAA and ILEA for the opportunity provided by the joint training “inter-agency cooperation is essential in fighting illegal fishing, and strengthening the capacity of each agency reduces the risk of illegal operators finding loopholes to continue their activity”.