Title
Protecting our fisheries: Working towards a common future
Date of Publication
2021 12:00 AM
Security Theme
IUU Fishing
Keywords
IUU Fishing, IUU fishing, food and nutrition security, economic development, climate change, harmful subsidies, oversight, international cooperation
Description
The threats to our fisheries come from many directions. Climate change is impacting our fish stocks and our growing global population increases the demand for low cost, nutritious food. At the same time our fishing industry is competing with subsidised fleets who operate with financial incentives, and with illegal operators who show no respect for laws, regulations or conservation measures. The fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has long been championed by the SADC and by our ministers. In 2008, Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister for Fisheries, Namibia led the call to action that resulted in the SADC Statement of Commitment to combat IUU fishing. He stated, ‘We may be the last generation of decision-makers with an opportunity to end the troubling destruction of our oceans and the hardship it brings to our people. I cannot overstate the importance for us leaders to move from discussion to action, future generations will judge us on our achievements not our words.’
Protecting our fisheries: Working towards a common future
The threats to our fisheries come from many directions. Climate change is impacting our fish stocks and our growing global population increases the demand for low cost, nutritious food. At the same time our fishing industry is competing with subsidised fleets who operate with financial incentives, and with illegal operators who show no respect for laws, regulations or conservation measures. The fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has long been championed by the SADC and by our ministers. In 2008, Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister for Fisheries, Namibia led the call to action that resulted in the SADC Statement of Commitment to combat IUU fishing. He stated, ‘We may be the last generation of decision-makers with an opportunity to end the troubling destruction of our oceans and the hardship it brings to our people. I cannot overstate the importance for us leaders to move from discussion to action, future generations will judge us on our achievements not our words.’
