By ANTHONY KITIMO
Wednesday June 15, 2022
A fisherman in Lamu County, Kenya, displays the much sought-after Tuna fish. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Spanish and French vessels found fishing illegally in the
Indian Ocean have been blacklisted after a key watchdog found them repeat
offenders.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) says the vessels
were found to have been illegally fishing in the exclusive economic zones of
Somalia, Mauritius, India and Mozambique; without the respective permission of
these countries.
A situational report by IOTC, released during the 26th
Session in Seychelles says: “Fleets such as these cause irreversible damage to
our ocean, threatening marine life and the people who depend on it around the
world.
“This was recognised by nations at the IOTC meeting this
week, where the several member countries urged the Commission to blacklist the
fleet. They catch more yellowfin tuna than any other gear in the Indian Ocean –
with 97 percent of the yellowfin tuna caught around dFADs in the Indian Ocean
by purse seiners being juveniles,” the statement said.
Kenya and South Africa’s aggressive hunt against drifting
fish aggregating devices (dFADs), such as trawlers, contributed to the
decision. Conservationists are increasingly contesting the use of such fishing
techniques as the vessels catch more juvenile fish that could contribute to the
dissipation of species.
IOTC, an intergovernmental organisation mandated to guard
highly migratory tuna and tuna-like fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean has
also been promoting the use of appropriate fishing techniques. The Commission
did not name the number of vessels banned but did suggest all those carrying
flags from the two countries will no longer be permitted to fish in the zone.
The Indian Ocean is the second-largest tuna fishery in the
world.