SADC Fisheries MCSCC Board of Directors pays courtesy visit to Mozambique’s new fisheries administration
Maputo, Mozambique– September 1, 2025
As recommended by the second meeting of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Coordination Centre’s (MCSCC) Board of Directors (BOD), a high-level delegation of the MCSCC and the SADC Secretariat travelled to Maputo, Mozambique on 1 September 2025 for a courtesy visit to the newly appointed national fisheries administration. The purpose of the visit was to provide an update on the status of the MCSCC, to discuss the next steps regarding the Host Agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the MCSCC, and to consider the progress of the Centre’s construction in Catembe, Maputo, supported generously by the World Bank and the Government of Mozambique.
Established in 2023 by SADC through the Charter Establishing MCSCC (2017), the MCSCC is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Maputo. Its mandate is to coordinate efforts to strengthen fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) across the SADC region, with the ultimate goal of combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The delegation was led by Mr. Stanley Ndara, MCSCC BOD Chairperson, supported by Ms. Sakwimba Constance Mwanza, Finance Director and Chairperson of the BOD’s Committee on Finance, Audit, Risk, and Compliance. The SADC Secretariat was represented by Dr. Alexander Shula Kefi, Project Coordinator for the Multinational Program for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region (PROFISHBLUE Project) and Interim Secretary to the Board.
During the visit, the Minister of State for Oceans and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP) His Excellency Momade Arnaldo Juízo, expressed the Government’s commitment to the MCSCC’s mission: “The Government of Mozambique has facilitated the completion of the Host Agreement, which is now ready for signing by both parties. This milestone marks a significant step toward operationalising the Centre in fighting IUU fishing in the SADC region”.
“We are pleased to learn that Mozambique has completed the formalities for the Host Agreement, and the Board stands ready to formalise this important partnership. The nearly completed construction of the offices in Katembe – now 99% complete – demonstrates Mozambique’s strong resolve to combat IUU fishing which is global threat to sustainable aquatic food systems.” Mr. Ndara said, highlighting the progress made.
In partnership with cooperating partners and with support from the SADC Secretariat, efforts are underway to recruit the Centre’s Executive Director – an essential milestone toward establishing the MCSCC’s operational presence in Maputo.
The MCSCC remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing fisheries governance across the SADC region.
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