East Africa must join treaty to crack down on illegal unregulated

The country’s authorities say they lack the capacity to patrol the country's waters, and as a result the nation loses millions of US dollars every year because of illegal fishing.

A survey conducted in 2013 had determined that 400 species of Lake Victoria fish have virtually vanished. One reason for this unfortunate scenario is the presence of the Nile perch which are voracious eaters of lesser fish. But the Nile perch are not the most notorious culprits.

The presence of illegal fishermen is the main canker. Some fishermen use dynamite to blast fish colonies or their breeding grounds ruining the ecological balance of the lake. The fishermen also use banned gear such as gillnets, monofilaments, beach seines and others.

Illegal fishing together with destruction of the environment has resulted into depletion of at least 400 fish species in Lake Victoria in the last four decades. However, authorities have pledged close monitoring of the fishing gear to avert intensification of the threat.

The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), the world's first international treaty has been designed specifically to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Under this new agreement, parties are obliged to ensure that any fishing vessel that comes to its port, even for refueling,

must announce that it is doing so and submit to an inspection of their log book, licenses, fishing gear and, to be sure, their actual cargo. Port State authorities agree to share information on violations, thus making it harder for rogue fishermen to shift their practices elsewhere.

The treaty, which was adopted by FAO's members in 2009, marks a big step beyond self-regulation of the seafood sector, from which illicit activity siphons off up to $23 billion a year. More than 30 countries plus the European Union have formally deposited their instruments of adherence with FAO, the treaty has now entered into force and a new era has begun.

Those who fish illegally- who not only profit but also jeopardize coordinated efforts to manage global marine resources in a sustainable manner so that fishing can prosper as a viable activity and people everywhere can enjoy its nutritional benefits - face higher operating costs and the serious risk of being caught.

To be sure, the treaty today applies only to those countries which gave the required consent. To give the treaty more traction and accelerate both its effectiveness and impact, more countries must join.

As they do, there will be ever fewer port-hopping opportunities for rogue vessels determined to flaunt laws that regulate catch levels, usually to protect biodiversity and stock levels. But have no doubts. History's net has been cast. Membership is destined to grow.

The East Africa countries are not parties to the treaty, it is high time the block joined this treaty for it will be a turning point in the struggle against illegality in the fisheries sector. The Port State Measures Agreement is a concrete step towards healthier oceans, as called for by Goal 14 of the new Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.