What we do
Tracking, Information sharing, Coordination
The purpose of the MCSCC is to coordinate national, regional and international efforts to fight IUU fishing. The three core areas are information sharing, capacity building and coordination of activities. Through this work, the MCSCC helps compile evidence required for the SADC Secretariat to make meaningful contributions to shaping regional and international policies.
Communication portal
The communication portal provided through the MCSCC creates a single web-based platform to access information related to MCS for all SADC members and partners. This facilitates communication with key contacts and speeds up response time to requests and alerts. Questions and enquires can be posted to all members or to specific groups, encouraging previously non-public information to be openly shared and helping to promote transparency. It also supports real-time cross-checking of information and assists in developing a common understanding of where IUU risks lie.
Sharing MCS information
Through the MCSCC, MCS data and information can be routinely and systematically shared between SADC countries, RFBs and other entities. This provides fisheries investigators and other analysts with the relevant data, encourages harmonisation and transparency and enables researchers to validate one another´s findings. The increased regional understanding and awareness that is crucial for national, regional and international comparisons.
Development of a regional fishing vessel register
A regional fishing vessel register is one of the first steps towards regional compliance monitoring such as pre-licence inspections, port state measures, enforcement investigations and regional monitoring of vessel movements. Through the systematic sharing of information on licensed and flagged vessels in the region, including information for lakes bordered by several countries, the MCSCC will create a comprehensive database of vessels, their operators and agents, accessible to all members, that can support decision-making and enforcement.
Monitoring vessel activity
A regionally standardised fishing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will make it easier to share national VMS information. This will provide oversight and a coordinated approach to tracking fishing and carrier vessel activity and help gain a regional understanding of fishing activity, identify illegalities and suspicious behaviour. Identification of illegal activity enables targeting for inspection and patrols and is the basis for informed decisions on port entry and use, licensing and flagging.