FishNet Alliance Writes WTO Over Illegal, Harmful Fishing In Africa By China, US, Japan, Russia, Others

Related stories

For Aisha Buhari at a time like this By Funke Egbemode

By Funke Egbemode She was only 18 years old when...

2027: Four Senators Dump PDP as APC Numbers Rise To 70 in Upper Chambers

• PDP's Plummet to 50 By Abiola Olawale  Four senators on...

[VIDEO]: Battle Rages As Amaechi Storms Rivers, Pulls Unprecedented Crowd for ADC

By Abiola Olawale A political storm is brewing in Rivers...

Oil Price Swings Challenge Big Oil Trading Profits

While analysts and investors largely expect to see lower...
  • Asks Body To Protect Domestic Fishermen

The FishNet Alliance, an Africa-wide network of fishers has raised alarmed over overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing allegedly perpetrated by some developed countries, calling on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) headed by Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to wade in.

The alliance which engages in the promotion of sustainable fishing practices in line with ecosystem limits, in a statement made available to The New Diplomat, stated that an investigation conducted in 2018 revealed that 10 countries spent over $15.3 billion on harmful fishing subsidies in 2018, with telling effects on artisanal fishermen across Africa.

According to the report of the investigation, the countries are China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the U.S.A., Thailand, Taiwan, Spain, Indonesia and Norway.

The investigation further revealed that out of the $15.3 billion, about $9.2 billion was expended on domestic fishing, which accounted for 60% of the total sum, while $5.4 billion was expended on fishing in nations that are not within their jurisdiction.

While raising alarm on the high expenditure, the alliance stated that if appropriate checks are not put in place, the harmful fishing subsidies could have adverse effects on the social, economic and ecological sectors of Africa.

The alliance noted that massive plundering of fisheries on African waters has severely impacted the economy of artisanal fishers in the region as well as affected the nutrition of the many people.

As World Trade ministers meet to negotiate the fisheries subsidies, the alliance has called on WTO to transparently and aggressively negotiate on the basis of the root causes and drivers of overfishing and other related issues and go after corporate and vested interests doling out billions of dollars as subsidies for dangerous fishing expeditions, especially harmful fishing practices within and outside their national jurisdiction.

According to FishNet alliance, the negotiating group rules contained in the revised draft consolidated Chair text, which is well crafted for industrial fishers, is set to chase vulnerable small scale/ artisanal fishers out of business.

The alliance added that the setting of 12 nautical miles from baseline as the limit of exemption for developing and least developed countries of low income, resource-poor and livelihood fishing or fishing-related activities, is unacceptable.

They also demanded that there should be synergy between WTO and other relevant international instruments to check the offshore trades that seek only to commodify water bodies at the detriment of the rich and diverse aquatic ecosystems.

Also, the alliance urged the WTO to garner supports and incentives for small scale/artisanal fishers in developing and least developed countries and encourage their local community-driven conservation efforts.

Abiola Olawale
Abiola Olawale
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
For Aisha Buhari at a time like this By Funke EgbemodeSaraki Blasts Atiku, David Mark, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Other PDP Defectors, Says Mass Exodus Lacks Vision2027: Four Senators Dump PDP as APC Numbers Rise To 70 in Upper Chambers[VIDEO]: Battle Rages As Amaechi Storms Rivers, Pulls Unprecedented Crowd for ADCOil Price Swings Challenge Big Oil Trading ProfitsOba Otudeko: EFCC Drops ₦12.3 Billion Fraud Case After FirstHoldco Shares SaleReconsider Travel to Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Chad, DRC, 7 Others, US Tells Citizens in Latest Travel AdvisoryDrama as Trump Accuses Obama, Biden, Others of Alleged Treason, Vows To Go After themSuper Falcons dethrone South Africa, romp into WAFCON final in MoroccoBig Oil’s Power Couple Heads to GuyanaThe U.S. Has Only The 10th Most Powerful Passport: Here’s What That Means2027: PDP Eyeing Jonathan, Others for Presidential Race, Party Official Reveals$24 Billion Loan: Senate Approves Tinubu's Request, Loan StrategyAlleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Throws Out Yahaya Bello's Travel Request[VIDEO] Natasha vs Akpabio: Tension as Natasha Denied Access To National Assembly Complex
X whatsapp