Illegal Tuna Fishing By Indonesians Ruins Mauritiusff

Illegal fishing in the Exclusive Maritime Economic Zone (EMEZ) in Mauritius has taken a great toll on country’s economy, causing an annual loss of over US $3 million, Mauritius Minister of Agro-Industry, Arvin Boolell, disclosed.

At a news conference in the capital Port Louis, Boolell said an Indonesian vessel (Putra Jaya) had become the latest to be caught red-handed for illegally fishing in the zone.

A stock of 30 tons of fresh tuna has been found in the ship, Boolell said. After seizing the fish, Mauritius authorities said they will prosecute the captain of the vessel.

Mauritius has been warned by both the Food and Agricultural Organization and the Indian Ocean Tuna to step up its surveillance in the EMEZ as a way of discouraging illegal fishing by foreign vessels.

But according to Boolell, the country has since increased its surveillance activities by acquiring equipment that provides the exact location of ships in Mauritius waters.