Maputo, 26 Feb (AIM) – The maritime authorities have seized 38 tonnes of fisheries produce in the central Mozambican Province of Zambezia, which was obtained as a result of illegal fishing.
Mozambique loses 60 to 70 million US dollars every year as a result of illegal fishing. In 2022 alone, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the country lost 60 million dollars due to illegal fishing.
According to Augusto Dongo, the Zambezia maritime administrator, in order to catch the species in question, the fishermen resorted to a harmful technique called “chicocota”, which includes the use of mosquito net and steel cables.
“That’s why we’re in these waters, to discourage fishing. So far, we have seized 38 tonnes of fisheries produce overall, of which just over two tonnes are prawns. This worries us because we know that, as an authority, we do everything we can to protect the prawns so that they can grow, because theirs value is greater when they are fully grown”, Dongo said, cited in Monday’s issue of the independent daily “O País.”
Not only were the fishermen caught using illegal gear, but they were catching the prawns during the closed season.
“It’s sensitive and delicate, but we have no choice but to continue removing the harmful gear, such as the Chicocota”, said Dengo. “It’s a huge group of fishermen who use harmful gear. Our fight has been to discourage them, it’s been difficult but we’ll get there and that’s why we’re asking other authorities to help us in this fight”.
The fishermen claim that they have no alternative but to fish to support their families.
“I’m aware that the technique we use is forbidden by the authorities, but you know that we are facing various crises such as pandemics and wars”, one fisherman told reporters.
(AIM)
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