Over-fishing of tuna reported off Mozambique
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E-mail Xinhua, September 24, 2012
The Mozambican Ministry of Fisheries announced on Sunday an allegedly over-fishing of tuna off its Indian Ocean coast, saying there is need for increasing supervision to mitigate the trend.
This was announced soon after a supervision mission ended on Sunday alongside the Green Peace International, an organization seeking to defend the environment and sustainable development.
The mission started on Sept. 6, supported by a vessel from Greenpeace International baptized as rainbow warrior, and together with a group from the Mozambique Fishery Ministry.
It had representatives from 18 other countries including Spain, Italy, New Zeeland, Russia, Britain, the United States and Canada.
The mission supervised an area estimated at 133.500 square km from the southern part of the southern African country in the Maputo Ponta d'Ouro to the central region of Save. It reported the supervision of four fishing vessels, three from Japan and one from Spain.
An official of the Fishery Ministry Joao Sanete told journalists that the mission is part of the efforts in fighting illegal fishing and to guarantee that the activity is executed according to the laws established in the country.
Most of the fishing vessels found operating in the areas targeted tuna and sharks, according to the official.
Owing to its the extensive areas off the coast and lack of resources for supervision, Mozambique is vulnerable to illegal fishing. The just-concluded operation only covered 33 percent of the entire waters of 400 000 square km.
Tuna is at risk of extinction due to overfishing, the authorities warned.
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