Illegal fishing: Our tuna industry under threat

The Mauritian tuna industry employs over 7,000 people and contributes to make our island a Seafood Hub. Over and above international competition, this industry faces some serious threats, be it illegal fishing, the impact of climate change through warmer oceanic temperatures, and dwindling stocks caused by overfishing. A number of measures have been implemented, however, the dangers are looming for the future of this promising economic sector. The Indian Ocean region is the second largest source of tuna catches worldwide. With its cumulative production of 280,000 tons per year, tuna catch is not only a source of jobs and economic wealth, but also plays a significant role in food security in the region. Mauritius has built a buoyant seafood hub on the back of this bonanza. However, there are some external threats which threaten this industry. The 3rd Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Management Procedures Dialogue (MPD03) was held in Reunion Island last month. The aim of the workshop was to facilitate the dialogue between scientists and fishery managers in developing Management Procedures for IOTC stocks. To this aim, key scientists presented progress in developing management procedures for the four key tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean. One of the main measures of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) at the annual meeting is to reduce the volume of catches in the Indian Ocean sea. According to Patrice Robert, Chairman of the Seafood Council of the Mauritius Export Association, some of the recommendations of the IOTC, including that of the “Harvest Control Rules” for skipjack (a species of Tuna) mark a positive step towards sustainability, as well as ensuring reduction in catch volumes by fishing gear. The adoption of these measures to him will result in a number of analyses that will be important to monitor the situation closely.

Strengthening surveillance

The recommendations set by the IOTC will certainly impact on the industry in Mauritius. “We need to keep the Mauritian seafood industry alive and that’s why we put so much emphasis on the sustainability of the resources. Without fish, there is no industry,” says Patrice Robert. “To recall, the Mauritian strategy started to be implemented in 2014, when we were the first country in the world to propose a resolution to limit the number of fish concentration measures to the IOTC. The private sector had collaborated with the Ministry of Fisheries who brought full support to private companies.” A support, which has never faltered, he says. The first to be affected by the limitation of catches will be seine-net fishing operating under the Mauritian flag. “However, the processing industry would not be affected,” he reassures. It should be noted that Food and Agriculural Organisation (FAO) has recently published the latest figures on illegal fishing around the world. Illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing is responsible for over 26 million tonnes of catches with an estimated revenue of over USD 23 billion. “We must not believe that we are safe in the Indian Ocean. During fisheries surveillance missions, under the auspices of the Indian Ocean Commission, illegal fishing vessels were caught in our territorial waters. So we need to protect our waters and strengthen further the surveillance”, says the Chairman of the Seafood Council.

Fish prices on the rise during winter season

Usually, during the winter season, there is a fall in the volume of catches. As a result, there is an increase in the prices of fish on the local market. “Since May, fishermen are undertaking fewer fishing trips due to bad weather,” says Judex Ramphul, president of the Fishermen’s Association. Result: fish such as Capitaine, Cordonnier, Rougé and Cateau become scarce and therefore more expensive. “Usually, fishermen sell their catches to wholesalers at Rs 80 for a half-kilo. Currently, the price has increased to Rs100 or to even Rs110 for half a kilo,” says Judex Ramphul. However, some operators have not increased their prices, but rule out this option. “At the Curepipe market, we have not yet raised our prices even if we buy our stocks at Rs10 to Rs15 extra for each kilo of fish purchased. But, in the long run, we will have no other option that to pass on the extra cost to consumers,” says fishmonger Anwar Nauzeer. Another seller on his part says: “Fishermen with whom we buy fish for resale have raised their prices by 15 to 20%. However, we maintained ours, but we have no other choice than to increase if the purchase price goes from 25 to 40%.” Good to know: Marginal increase in tuna production Fish production increased by 2.2% from 12,376 tonnes in 2014 to 12,650 tonnes in 2015. Production of other catch (tuna, bank etc.) rose by 1,1% and that of fresh coastal fish catch increased by 10.6%.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"19374","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-full wp-image-33339 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"250","height":"210","alt":"Bahim Taher"}}]]Bahim Taher: “Seafood industry is the salvation for our youth”

The director of Hassen Taher Seafoods (Mauritius) Ltd is of the opinion that our marine resources provides for greater business opportunities other than just fish. Moreover, he emphasizes on the reinforcement of protection of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ). One of the main measures of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is to reduce the volume of tuna catch in the Indian Ocean. How do you respond to this recommendation? Wisely, we advocate such measures in view of gearing up a reproduction period leading to future tuna population consistency and availability. Over the past few years, the annual tuna catch has been decreasing by 5 % to 10% worldwide. But at the same time, measures implemented should not have any negative impact on the tuna market amidst the fast-moving market to avoid any market disequilibrium. Nevertheless, we should also in the meantime find out substitutes for tuna. What will be the economic implications for the local seafood industry? After the heyday of sugar and textiles as prime providers of employment, the oceanic and seafood industry is the salvation for our youth. In Mauritius, from an economic standpoint, the limitations in catches will not have any great impact, as most of our local fishermen get their tuna in our maritime territory depending on the season. Moreover, for the industrial operators, I do not foresee any negative implications as there are sufficient tuna for them to operate. Are there any risks of job losses? We need to adjust. In fact, this measure does not pose any risk to jobs. The reduction will mostly impact fishing vessels operating under foreign flags which normally sell their catches abroad. Therefore, our local seafood industry will not be at stake. Besides, control of our territorial waters will be enhanced through the implementation of measures to enhance networking and supervision. Does it mean that we should take a stronger stand against illegal fishing? A network of deterrence against any kind of illegality is most welcomed. There should be a ‘code of ethics and conduct’ in order to protect our Exclusive Economic Zone. If there are no laws, control, supervision; the whole Seafood Industry will be at great risk because of piracy, destruction of marine biodiversity, terrorism and other issues such as drug trafficking. In general, how is the seafood industry performing at present? Oceanic and fishing sector is vulnerable with respect to natural calamities. The industry needs to be adjusted accordingly with respect to fishing period. As the fishing industry is facing problems worldwide, we in Mauritius need to re-engineer the sector at technical level, operational level, security level and legal level. How the industry is affected by climate change? Unfortunately, despite being a rich and growth-generating sector leading to income generation, the industry faces exogenous risks such as cyclone, storm, flood and tsunamis. So, to counter such dangers, we have to optimize the catching period which in turn needs the assistance of one and all, especially the State. Does Mauritius have the potential to become a regional Seafood Hub? Recognised to be the strategic gateway of Africa (through the Indian Ocean) – whereby the African continent is the subject of sustained attention by European, American, Arab and Asian investors for business exploitation – Mauritius gains in re-engineering its Seafood Hub. Its maritime service is being boosted, thereby facilitating exports and re-export businesses. Professional organisations with top-class professionals are offering genuine tailored-made legal/accountancy services. Due to the protocol between ACP and EU countries, seafood products from Mauritius is exempted from taxes which represent great economic advantages. Same can be further exploited as Mauritius has recently benefited from an extension of its vast exclusive economic zone. This implies sustainability and employability of its fishing operators. We are in an ideal geostrategic position in the Indian Ocean, where 25% of the global tuna catch is sourced out from the deepest sea water of highest purity, free from any effluences and/or pollutants rich in minerals and nutrients. Our marine resources offer far greater business opportunities than just fish. The blue economy calls upon industrialists and investors to venture in the medicinal, pharmaceutical and therapeutic spheres too.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"19375","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-full wp-image-33340 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"250","height":"187","alt":"Seafoodwatch"}}]]Illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean: Road map to eliminate practice being finalised

“Illegal fishing accounts for 10 to 30 per cent of the global fish catch with around 10 to 23 billion USD lost annually due to this illicit activity,” said the Minister of Ocean Economy, Mr Prem Koonjoo, during the opening ceremony of the 5th FISH-i Africa Task Force meeting, held from 14 to 16 June 2016 at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Roche Noires. Its ramifications, added Minister Koonjoo, include encouraging overfishing, putting responsible fishers at a disadvantage, weakening coastal communities, threatening food security and promoting tax evasion. “Such fishing practices often have a deadly impact on the marine environment by damaging protected areas and catching juveniles and untargeted species which are then discarded, thereby leading to unnecessary stock depletion and deteriorated ecosystems,” he stressed out. The Task Force is working on a road map to end and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) in the western Indian Ocean. The road map will then be presented at the ministerial meeting of member States to help renew commitment in the fight against illegal fishing. This meeting is a joint initiative of the ministry of Ocean Economy and “Stop Illegal Fishing” which is an African-based independent organisation that aims to stop illegal fishing in African waters. Around 40 representatives from the eight member countries of FISH-i Africa, intergovernmental organisations, as well as stakeholders from law enforcement agencies and international partners are participating. The member countries are Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania. Minister Koonjoo also spoke about the measures initiated by the Mauritian government to combat illegal fishing. These include: the setting up of a Fisheries Monitoring Centre at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre, which harbours a Vessel Monitoring System to monitor the activities of fishing vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone; setting up of a Port State Control Unit for boarding and inspection of fishing vessels; and implementation of a National Plan of Action to combat IUU in line with the FAO Port State Measures Agreement.

FISH-i Africa

FISH-I Africa regroups eight South-East African coastal countries along the Western Indian Ocean, an unprecedented alliance which is showing that regional cooperation, coupled with dedicated analysis and technical expertise, can stop illegal catch getting to market, and prevent criminal fishers pursuing their lucrative business unhindered. Sharing vessel data real-time and accessing satellite tracking expertise, FISH-i Africa is a Task Force that enables authorities to identify and act against large-scale IUU. The Task Force is developing into a robust and effective mechanism to catalyse enforcement actions and ultimately to secure a sustainable end to illegal fishing in the Western Indian Ocean.