The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has been awarded the “Meritorious Achievement” award by the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (IMCS) Network in recognition of 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, recognizes the IOC 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,” said Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission and added, “Such an accolade is further proof of the usefulness and relevance of our regional system which runs smoothly thanks to the commitment of the nine participating States that pool their resources and information, and through our partnership with the European Union.”
While underpinning the spirit of cooperation, resulting in a real deterrent effect on illegal fishing, Marimoutou added that Regional Fisheries Monitoring Plan, 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 Chargée d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles Manuela Riccio said that the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Plan, 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, said Manuela Riccio and added, “A notable achievement is the significant decrease in irregularities in the region’s fishing industry.”
The latest regional fisheries surveillance missions at sea have revealed that practically all vessels operating in the region are now complying with regulations, which is 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.
The awards ceremony during the 7th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW) in Halifax, Canada brought together about 180 technicians, experts and key decision-makers representing 52 countries, all committed to the cause of fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance.
Judith Akolo
