Presidente moçambicano, Filipe Nyusi, lança primeira pedra, para a construção do Centro Regional de Coordenação de Monitorização, Controlo e Fiscalização das Pescas da SADC
Maputo, 23 Apr (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi believes that illegal fishing should be regarded as a transnational crime and severely punished, taking into account the negative impact that it causes on marine resources and the global environment.
Nyusi was speaking on Monday, during the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Coordination Centre for Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCSCC), in the KaTembe municipal district, in Maputo city.
He declared that the Mozambican government is working to declare illegal fishing a transnational crime.
The construction of the regional facility, in its first phase, is budgeted at 113 million meticais (about two million dollars at the current exchange rate). The center is aimed at coordinating efforts and measures aimed at improving the monitoring, control and inspection of fisheries in order to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
“Our country has been exemplarily committed to taking action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is also in favor of regional and international coordination so that illegal, unregulated and undeclared fishing is classified as a transnational crime, severely punished for its seriously harmful effects”, the President said.
According to Nyusi, illegal fishing is not just a localized problem, but a global threat that requires a coordinated and effective response, thus demanding the union of all forces in society to combat it.
“If we take care of the sea, oceans and rivers, we will be making our contribution to the defense of this home, which is planet earth. In fact, the sea unites us and strengthens us as peoples and nations, and it is legitimate for us as governments, cooperation partners and civil society to unite in its defense”, he said.
The sea as a natural resource, Nyusi said, has to be exploited sustainably, so that it remains a primary source of food and income. He pointed out that currently Mozambique loses around 60 to 70 million dollars a year due to illegal fishing in its waters.
The MCSCC is an institution created in 2023 by the SADC member states, and Mozambique was chosen as the body’s headquarters.
(AIM)
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