Mozambique is at risk of running out of shrimp due to the intensification of practices harmful to the reproduction of this species by fishermen, especially artisanal ones, who do not respect the prohibition periods for multiplication and growth.
According to an article published this Friday, 22 November, by the newspaper Notícias, the concern was expressed in Maputo by the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Lídia Cardoso, at the launch of World Fishing Day, celebrated on Thursday (21), and the start of the closed season for surface shrimp, mangrove crab and octopus.
In this regard, the government wants to see the closed season respected so that marine species can reproduce and reach a suitable size for catching, in a practice that is intended to be sustainable and in line with the country’s and the world’s objectives. In fact, Lídia Cardoso pointed to African countries that have seen their shrimp go extinct due to discriminatory practices, a scenario that should be avoided in Mozambique.
Illegal fishing is still a significant challenge, with the use of harmful nets that affect ecosystems and capture resources at embryonic stages, as well as on a large scale, practised by international operators.
‘The problem is already affecting fish catches, due to the harmful practices of fishermen and the effects of climate change,’ said Lídia Cardoso, adding that “the biggest decrease in fish catches has been seen above all in the species covered by the closed season”.
The minister assured, however, that despite the difficulties, the government has been stepping up inspections of the Mozambican coast to mitigate the impacts of this practice, which compromises the sustainability of resources.
