By: Mohamed Sahr
While the content of this article is made possible under the Promoting Transparency, Accountability and Local Capacity to Address the Destabilizing Impacts of Foreign-Owned Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) in the Gulf of Guinea and the Waters of Mauritania project, the opinions and connotations are entirely that of the Author and do not reflect the position or alignment of the funding agency – U.S. Department of State or the project implementing partners, the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa, and the Centre for Coastal Management (CCM) at the University of Cape Coast.
Sustainable fishing practices and strong regulations are essential for protecting the livelihoods of artisanal local fishers in the Funkia Fishing Harbour. Funkia is a big community located at Goderich in the Western Area Rural District. The community hosts thousands of inhabitants who mostly rely on fishing as their major source of income and livelihood.
By implementing sustainable fishing methods, enforcing strict regulations, and supporting local fishing communities, we can ensure that our oceans are protected for future generations while also supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
A 45-year-old Daniel Samuel Martin, a boat owner and artisanal fisher, said the presence of industrial fishing vessels has affected most of their routine fishing expedition, especially at night when they had cast their net, hoping for successful rewards for the next day. Martin added that their nets are mostly damaged by industrial vessels coming from nearby Guinea, Conakry, and Guinea Bissau. “Their presence has disturbed our trade,” Mr. Martin said. He furthered that most often than not, a good number of the most needed fishes have moved out of their zones, leaving behind juvenile fishes, which made their work very difficult. Speaking on the economic impact of foreign-owned fishing vessels in distant waters, he mentioned that the operations of the vessels have resulted in fish shortages and impacting food security and livelihoods.
Bai Conteh, a traditional fisherman who started his trade at the age of 20 years, cited that the industrial trawlers have caused more harm than good at the sea. He said most of these vessels are in the habit of destroying their fishing gears with their advanced equipment.
These artisanal fishers have regularly paid their yearly license fees, which is equivalent to 1,000 New Leones to certify their eligibility, as well as guarantee safety and security at sea. However, according to fishers nothing is forthcoming from the government and maritime administration.
Mohamed Fullah Bangura, Community Head of Custodian of Law and Orders at the Funkia Fishing Centre within the Goderich community in Freetown, said the local fishermen spend more than 12 hours at sea hoping for a good turnout, but as a result of the destabilizing activities of foreign-owned distant water fishing vessels, their hopes are dashed. Adding that there have been instances where their boats get damaged. He encouraged the government and institutions responsible to help the artisanal fishermen and women by providing sustainable alternative livelihoods as well as seeking transparency in the fishing industry.
Benjamin Bockarie, Blue Economy Program Coordinator mentioned that the challenges of artisanal fishers include competition over fishing grounds. He said artisanal fishers are required to fish within the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ), whereas foreign trawlers or industrial vessels are required to fish in the Economy Exclusive Zone (EEZ) area. However, the marine space is not like the land where boundaries may be visible, therefore, the aforementioned regulations are not wholly adhered to by the industrial vessels, Mr. Bockarie indicated. He added that the noncompliance results in conflicts and damages to artisanal fishing gears.
He further mentioned that another major challenge is the shortage of catches as a result of overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, mainly carried out by foreign-owned distant fishing vessels while at sea. Bockarie outlined that sustainable fishing practices enhance thriving and resilient small-scale fishing and the general fishing sector. With this, he said biodiversity will strive, habitats can be protected, and the impact of marine degradation will be reduced. “If we can reduce the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by the foreign-owned distant fishing vessels, there will be high potential of having huge biomass that will equally have good economic returns,” the program coordinator of GOAL said.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which is an international treaty, provides a framework for the management and conservation of marine resources. Article 62 of UNCLOS states that “coastal states have the exclusive right to exploit the living resources within their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and should promote the objective of their “optimum utilization.” Also, Article 66 encourages cooperation between states to conserve and manage living resources, particularly those that are shared or straddling fish stocks. This promotes sustainable fishing practices and ensures that fish stocks are not overexploited. Another framework that deals with sustainable fishing practices and strong regulations is the Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is a binding international agreement that aims to combat illegal fishing by preventing vessels engaged in such activities from using ports and landing their catches.
Apparently, amidst all the challenges and impacts of foreign-owned distant water fishing vessels, one of the potential solutions is to provide sustainable fishing practices and strong regulations in a bid to protect artisanal. Moreover, there is a need for governments and organizations to provide financial and technical support to local fishers in order to help them adopt sustainable fishing practices. Also, establishing marine protected areas where fishing is restricted is another way to help preserve important habitats and allow the fish population to recover.
