Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo on Thursday (11th) in Maputo called for strengthened regional coordination, information sharing, and cooperation among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to combat illegal fishing—an activity that causes an estimated $400 million in annual losses across the region.
Speaking during the inauguration of the SADC Regional Centre for Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance, located in Katembe, the Head of State warned that illegal harvesting of marine resources continues to undermine ecosystem sustainability, food security, and the economic development of regional countries. “Every vessel that captures resources illegally represents revenue that does not enter our countries’ coffers. It represents jobs that are not created and wealth that does not benefit African communities,” he said.
According to Daniel Chapo, losses associated with illegal fishing amount to around $2 billion per year in Sub-Saharan Africa, of which approximately $400 million corresponds to SADC countries.
The President stressed that the impact of this practice goes beyond financial losses, also affecting the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on fishing and threatening the economic sovereignty of coastal states. “Combating illegal fishing requires regional coordination, information sharing among countries, harmonisation of procedures, strong technical and institutional capacity, and mutual trust among our states. It is precisely to address this challenge that this centre was created,” he stated.
He added that the increasingly transnational nature of threats affecting marine resources makes isolated national responses insufficient. “In a context where challenges are becoming increasingly transnational, no state can act alone. An effective response requires strong regional institutions, permanent coordination mechanisms, and collective solutions to common challenges,” he said.
The new Regional Centre for Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance will strengthen oversight of fishing activities in the region, improve information exchange among member states, harmonise inspection procedures, and promote joint operations to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Daniel Chapo noted that the success of the initiative should not be measured by the size of its infrastructure, but by its ability to protect marine resources, preserve jobs, and contribute to the prosperity of Southern African countries.
The President also thanked the World Bank and development partners that financed the construction of the facility, saying the investment represents an important contribution to natural resource protection, regional integration, and sustainable development.
The inauguration took place on the sidelines of the 3rd Blue Economy International Conference, held in Maputo, which brings together government representatives, experts, investors, and development partners to discuss the role of the blue economy in sustainable growth and responsible marine resource management.
The conference runs until June 12 and includes sessions on ocean governance, maritime security, fisheries and aquaculture, financing, renewable energy, marine biodiversity, climate change, and maritime trade, with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Text: Felisberto Ruco
