Fisheries leaders from across government, NGOs and industry gathered last week to discuss solutions to overfishing in African oceans, and how the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) programme could help towards a sustainable future.
Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, government delegates from Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania discussed the urgent need to take action towards securing healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable fishing livelihoods.
“As a region, we share an invaluable resource. Tuna in the Seychelles does not stay there. Fish have no borders. They travel all over the Indian Ocean. If we do not work together to manage our fish populations, we will defeat our purpose as governments to ensure the long term economic prosperity of our countries,” said Peter Sinon, Minister of Natural Resources of the Republic of Seychelles. We need to implant sustainable fishing practices in the minds of everyone – this is something we need to do together.”
Mr Sinon went on to highlight his support for African nations working together with the MSC. “In the Seychelles we are very much prepared to be at the forefront of joint working. We are working with our tuna industry to support assessment towards MSC certification and encourage other nations to do the same,” he added.
Meeting in Africa for the first time, the MSC’s international Stakeholder Council said it was also committed to working with African nations. “The MSC’s board has made it clear that we are prepared to help African nations deliver on their strong resolve to do justice to the idea of sustainable fishing,” said Werner Kiene, chairman, MSC Council. “These improvements can be delivered on a solid basis of science and political experience.”
