The past year has presented us all with many challenges as the way we work, and travel have been disrupted by the Covid pandemic. I am proud to say that Stop illegal Fishing has risen well to these challenges. We have developed new ways of working, and found innovative, low-cost, and practical solutions, such as online training and the use of body worn cameras for supervision and mentoring of fisheries officers. These solutions will continue to be used long after the pandemic is over – extending our reach and maximising efficiency.

This year has also seen major progress with the launch of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre (RMCSC) and significant progress in the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC). SIF’s roots lie in developing regional cooperation to stop illegal fishing, through our support to the process culminating in the signing of the 2008 SADC Statement of Commitment on IUU Fishing and the subsequent foundation of the FISH-i Africa Task Force.

In 2021 we were able to look back at the critical events and progress in our flagship report ‘Regional Cooperation to Stop Illegal Fishing: A Tale of Two Task Forces’. It was gratifying to see the achievements made and to see how the two different regions, with different drivers, funders and priorities have found common solutions. The role of systematic information sharing, monitoring of vessels and common standards and procedures are all now accepted as core to fighting illegal fishing.

SIF has also continued to contribute to the international policy arena. In 2020, in our ‘Moving Tuna’ report we provided an analysis of transhipment in the Western Indian Ocean. During 2021 we have been examining the role of transhipment in the FCWC region. An initial publication pulls together case studies from the region and a fuller exploration will follow in early 2022. As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers the development of international guidelines on transhipment, we hope our contribution provides sound evidence to inform policy.

Much of our focus in 2021 has been on the implementation of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA). As the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing it presents a significant opportunity for African States to block illegally caught fish from being landed and keep illegal vessels out of ports. Ports provide a critical control point for fisheries and for all activity at sea. African States have shown strong commitment to ending illegal fishing and this has been demonstrated by the high number who are now party to the PSMA. Our next big challenge is in implementing our PSMA commitments fully and well. To do this we need to share information, work with our neighbours, build cooperation with our national agencies, and use all the technology and tools available to us. By working closely with Ghana, Madagascar and Mozambique, SIF has supported training, mentoring, awareness and building understanding of the challenges involved with implementation.

I would like to thank our partners and funders for their ongoing support and cooperation.

Elsa Patria