The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) received an award from the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (IMCS) Network for its significant impact in the fight against illegal fishing worldwide. The award was presented at the 7th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW) in Halifax, Canada.
The IOC has been offered the “Meritorious Achievement” award by the IMCS for its outstanding efforts in implementing the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Plan (PRSP) over a 15-year period in the southwest Indian Ocean region.
“We are proud of this added international recognition. Such an accolade is further proof of the usefulness and relevance of our regional system which runs smoothly thanks to the commitment of the 9 participating States that pool their resources and information, and through our partnership with the European Union.
“The success hinges on the trust built among stakeholders underpinning the spirit of cooperation and resulting in a real deterrent effect, adding to efficient control and repression actions over an immense maritime area one and a half times the size of Europe!
“This system is set to become a permanent feature, given its contribution to the maritime safety architecture that we also support,” said Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission.
The PRSP, funded by the European Union (EU) through various programs such as ECOFISH, and by Région Réunion through FEDER/INTERREG funds, has had a substantial impact in reducing the number of fishing infractions in the southwest Indian Ocean region.
“The PRSP is part of the efforts of IOC Member States and a few coastal States in the Southwest Indian Ocean in the active fight against illegal fishing. It promotes information exchange, maritime and aerial surveillance missions as well as observation missions. A notable achievement of the PRSP is the significant decrease in irregularities in the region’s fishing industry,” said Manuela Riccio, Chargée d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles.
The latest regional fisheries surveillance missions at sea have revealed that practically all vessels operating in the region are now complying with regulations – a striking contrast to the controls carried out by the first regional patrol in 2007, when 25% of the vessels inspected were in breach of the law.
This considerable progress is the result of a fruitful collaboration among several countries, including Comoros, Kenya, France/Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania.
Joint actions give a clear message to potential offenders that the region is much more effective in its fight against illegal fishing.
The 2005 IOC Summit of Heads of State underlined the importance of this fight to support regional economic development. Illegal activities represent a considerable loss, particularly for countries like the Seychelles, where the fishing sector accounts for over 20% of GDP.
The PRSP also plays a key role in protecting fishery resources at the global level. The southwest Indian Ocean region alone accounts for 20% of world tuna catches.
The awards ceremony during the 7th GFETW brought together about 180 technicians, experts and key decision-makers representing 52 countries, all committed to the cause of fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance. This unique global event provides an opportunity to discuss the sector’s current challenges and learn from successes. The IOC took advantage of this to reassert its commitment to playing a major role in the protection of fisheries resources.