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Investigation No. 9 A repeat offender brought to book: the NESSA 7

by FISH-i Africa

Summary

Detailed description

The NESSA 7 demonstrates the persistence and determination of illegal operators. It was tracked by FISH-i Africa as it was thought to be one of the many longline vessels using the name ‘NAHAM-4’ operating in the Indian Ocean. Renaming and reflagging of vessels, and arriving in port on public holidays when staffing levels are likely to be low, are characteristics of vessel operators who have something to hide. But with all FISH-i countries on alert, the vessel was eventually intercepted by the Mozambican authorities, resulting in fines, fishing bans for the owner and operator, and confiscation of the vessel.

More Information

Submitted By

Justin Slabbert

Created At

2019-06-27 03:44:10

Revised At

2019-06-27 04:08:04

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FISH-i Africa

The Western Indian Ocean is home to abundant fish resources that sustain a thriving fishing industry, which in turn support local economies and a provides food and jobs in the region and abroad. These resources also fuel one of the world’s illegal fishing hot spots – destroying the marine environment, robbing national economies, stealing food and livelihoods from local people, and undermining legitimate industry. In response – eight countries – Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania – have joined forces to tackle this problem. These countries had already pledged to take actions against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, but in reality, with combined waters of nearly five million square kilometres and limited assets and capacity, overcoming the complex web of large-scale illegal fishing was a challenge that they could not take on individually. So in late 2012 FISH-i Africa was formed with the aim to improve cooperation, information and intelligence sharing in order to take enforcement actions against illegal fishing operators.