The Mozambican authorities have announced a four-month ban on catching surface shrimp in four of the country’s provinces, starting in November.
This Monday, 23 October, the director of the Maritime Inspection Division at the National Maritime Institute (INAMAR), César Maphossa, revealed to the media that the shrimp ban, which is due to run from 15 November until 14 March, will cover Maputo Bay, the mouth of the Limpopo River in Gaza province and the provinces of Inhambane and Sofala.
In addition to surface shrimp, i.e. from depths of up to 15 metres, the Mozambican government will also ban the catching of mangrove crab from 1 November until 31 December.
According to the fisheries legislation, the measure is aimed at allowing the species to reproduce, with sanctions for those who don’t obey the ban, including the seizure of the fish.
“Ultimately, the freedom of the offender can even be deprived, [this] is also provided for in the legislation,” said César Maphossa, warning that all establishments selling shrimp and crab must have a declaration of their provenance, at least during the closed season.
Meanwhile, the latest statistics released in 2020 indicate that Mozambique’s annual turnover in the fishing sector is between 70 and 100 million euros, with most of Mozambique’s fish destined for the European Union markets, especially Portugal and Spain.
