- 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.
