SADC ATLANTIC – a success of the SADC MCSCC for regional cooperation on fighting IUU fishing
February 16 2024
SADC Atlantic is a project of the MCSCC funded by the US Embassy in Botswana, which started in 2022 to support the Atlantic coast countries of Angola, Namibia and South Africa to engage more fully with the MCSCC. All three countries have been cooperating since 2013 to promote a coordinated regional approach to the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, enhancement and sustainable use of the shared resources through the implementation of the Benguela Current Convention. Strengthening the cooperation of these countries – all signatories of the MCSCC Charter – with the MCSCC is further assisting to promote regional cooperation, information sharing and cost-effective sharing of assets in the fight against IUU fishing.
Under the overarching goal of increased regional cooperation, the SADC Atlantic project has been working with fisheries officers in Namibia and South Africa to strengthen their national capacities to take measures to keep IUU fishing operators out of their ports. Similar trainings are to be conducted in Angola in 2024. Their focus: building capacity to assess risks linked to IUU fishing (CHECK), validate the results of such risk assessments through inspections and vessel monitoring (VALIDATE), and analyse the information collected as a way to create polity advice and to share lessons learnt for the future (ANALYSE).
After only one year of project, fisheries officers in Namibia and South Africa are showing significant progress in conducting risk assessments and inspections of foreign fishing vessels and have grown more confident in their actions. This is reflected in stronger engagement in terms of regional collaboration through the SADC MCSCC.
As the MCSCC is currently being established in Maputo, Mozambique, the achievements of the SADC Atlantic project are contributing to setting up solid bases for regional cooperation to protect the region’s fisheries. Whilst this project focusses on the Atlantic Ocean countries, a similar approach would be beneficial in all SADC countries. Strengthening human and institutional capacity of officers involved in MCS will be one of the MCSCC’s work areas. Experience and lessons learnt from the SADC Atlantic project will be valuable to support the MCSCC in the fulfilment of this function – towards a common future.
Download here a flyer with more information about the SADC Atlantic Project in ENGLISH, FRENCH and PORTUGUESES.
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