returns to South Africa after successful transboundary fisheries patrol
26 March 2009
Inspectors from Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa joined forces
in arresting six vessels and inspecting more than 40 vessels.
South Africa's off-shore environmental protection vessel, the Sarah
Baartman, returned today, Thursday, 26 March 2009, after completing a
four-nation transboundary fisheries patrol in South African, Tanzanian,
Mozambican and Kenyan waters. The joint patrol, which is also the first ever
multilateral patrol involving four countries at the same time, was aimed at
improving and strengthening fisheries surveillance and law enforcement
activities within the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) region and
along the African coastline, as well as increasing co-operation between
fisheries surveillance organisations of the SADC countries, which is
underpinned by the SADC Protocol on Fisheries.
The eleven fisheries inspectors on board the Sarah Baartman, including two
inspectors each from Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, arrested six vessels and
inspected a total of 41 fishing vessels over a 31 day period during which the
Sarah Baartman has steamed more than 7 200 nautical miles. This represents a
total of 13 462 kilometres, or a distance from Cape Town to Helsinki in Finland
and a further 3 500 kilometres beyond Helsinki.
Two South African hake handline vessels were arrested approximately 30
nautical miles off Mossel Bay coast for inadequate and lack of required
documentation on board the vessels. Inspections involve examining fishing gear,
catches, log books, licenses and permits of fishing vessels.
In Mozambique another hake handline vessel was arrested for a lack of
required documentation. A prawn fishing vessel was arrested for illegally
fishing in a restricted zone, following high levels of hostility and resistance
from the master and crew of the vessel. Inspectors from the Sarah Baartman
forcefully boarded the vessel and took control thereof. Mozambican inspectors
arrested the vessel and escorted the vessel to the Port of Angoche in
Mozambique.
In Tanzania, inspectors observed a fishing vessel without a flag with its
radar turned off, making it difficult for effective electronic surveillance.
Upon being approached by the Sarah Baartman, the vessel increased speed and
refused to heed calls to slow down and stop to allow inspectors on-board the
vessel. Inspectors on the Sarah Baartman then launched a rubber duck, mounting
a deliberate and faster approach. The vessel subsequently slowed down allowing
the inspectors to board the vessel and carry out an inspection. More than 290
tons of blue fin tuna was found onboard the vessel without any legitimate
fishing permit or license. The vessel and crew were arrested and all fish were
confiscated by the Tanzanian authorities.
This incident drew widespread national recognition from Tanzanians for the
inspectors and crew on-board the Sarah Baartman, resulting in special accolades
being bestowed on the team by the Tanzanian Minister for Livestock and Fishing
Development, Mr John Magufuli. One accolade was a special honour for the only
female inspector, Nwabisa Lutshete, and another was the Messiah Warrior honour
which was bestowed on the operational commander, Keith Govender. Both
inspectors are from South Africa. The other inspectors are Andile Moshani
(South Africa), Dirk Lourens (South Africa), Heinrich Ruppersberg (South
Africa), William Cuna (Mozambique), Jose Ceasar Maphosa (Mozambique), Haji
Shomari Haji (Tanzania), Ernest Bupampa (Tanzania), Maxine Yalo (Kenya) and
Phillip Agwanda (Kenya).
The team inspectors were also invited by the President of Tanzania,
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who paid tribute to the work the inspectors
have done in fighting illegal fishing in Tanzanian waters.
On route back to South Africa, off the coast from Durban, a Spanish foreign
fishing vessel was arrested and fined R300 000 for being without a valid permit
in South African waters.
The vessel is detained and will be released upon payment of the fine.
In addition to the inspections and arrests, a vigorous training programme
was also rolled out which included technical, operational and legal
training.
The outcomes of the fisheries patrol signals the success of transboundary
collaborations in providing a co-ordinated and united front against illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing.
Enquiries:
Carol Moses
Cell: 082 829 3917
E-mail: cmoses@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
26 March 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
