Maputo, 02 Nov (AIM) – Mozambique loses 60 to 70 million US dollars every year as a result of illegal fishing, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Maria Pinto.
According to Pinto, who was speaking on Wednesday, in Maputo, during the EAF-Nansen Program Forum, “Mozambique, in particular, loses between 60 to 70 million US dollars every year due to this predatory practice.”
“Illegal fishing deserves deep reflection on our part”, she added.
The EAF-Nansen Programme is a partnership between the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Norwegian development aid body, Norad, regional organizations and partner countries in Africa and the Bay of Bengal.
The Permanent Secretary pointed out that fishing makes a valuable social and economic contribution to the lives of the population and to generating foreign currency, especially artisanal fishing, since overall it contributes around 40 percent of fish catches and employs over 90 percent of fishermen and fishing workers.
“In Mozambique, the contribution of this sub-sector represents 98 percent of total national fisheries production. Our sector has been recognized as a powerful generator of employment and income, stimulating the growth of various subsidiary industries. What’s more, it serves as a source of livelihood for a large part of the population”, she said.
The challenge at this time, she added, is to use marine resources responsibly, while protecting biodiversity for future generations.
Pinto also highlighted the involvement of women throughout the production chain, pointing out that “this is increasingly notable, particularly in fish processing and marketing activities”.
(AIM)
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