Moçâmedes - The Maritime Surveillance and Security authorities of the Port Authority of Namibe in 2023 seized 20 artisanal fishing vessels, among them three semi-industrial and five industrial for alleged illegal fishing in Angola's territorial waters.
The information was provided to Angop today, by the head of the Captaincy's provincial services, captain Manuel Ribeiro, having highlighted that compared to the year 2022, there was an increase in seven vessels, with emphasis on the flatboats, which are dedicated to fishing, in areas of maritime conservation.
He said that, among the most serious infractions in the maritime jurisdiction of Namibe, the following stand out: the lack of maritime safety means, license, overcrowding of personnel on board, navigation outside the limits stipulated by navigation safety standards and illegal fishing, practiced by ships in the industrial and semi-industrial segment.
He explained that trawling carried out without due control causes damage that compromises the sustainable existence of living marine resources and beyond, causing changes in the marine ecosystem, with the extinction of some marine species, thus contributing to the lack of fish in the province, in particular, and the country in general.
The person responsible lamented the lack of means to deal with the situation, having revealed the existence of only one means, technologically equipped, which makes the inspection process difficult. LG/VR/FA/AC/DOJ
