Source: All Africa
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources has expressed his ministry’s determination to ensure that all fishing vessels operating within Sierra Leone’s territorial waters do so in compliance with the laws of the land.
Dr. Soccoh Kabia said illegal fishing business is no longer tolerated in the country’s maritime waters, noting that a total of USD 30 million is lost yearly as a result of illegal fishing. “It is crucial that we protect our valuable marine resources in order that they continue to be a source of livelihoods, food security and revenue for government,†he said.
On the arrest of a French fishing vessel (FV Sterenn) in Freetown, Dr. Kabia revealed that a fine of USD 703, 970 was levied because “the vessel failed to communicate its entry into the country, submit catch report and display the call signâ€.
He said the ministry has also succeeded in confiscating the 320 tons of tuna catch onboard the vessel which, according to him, was value around USD 650,000. The vessel, he added, was arrested by a joint maritime committee boarding team as part of the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership, AMLEP mission to Sierra Leone.
“We are grateful to the French government for their swift cooperation in this matter and for exercising their duties as a flag state,†noted the Fisheries and Marine Resources minister. “The captain of the vessel admitted to have violated the laws of our country. The USD 703,970 fine has been paid by the vessel, and this is the biggest fine levied against an illegal fishing vessel.â€
Dr. Kabia added that the arrest of the French vessel complements the measures that have already been put in place by his ministry to combat illegal fishing in the country.