Mozambique has around 2,700 km of coastline and the sea is its main source of income.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has just laid the foundation stone of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Center (MCSCC).
The center, valued at around $1.8 million, will be built in the Katembe district of the capital, Maputo.
According to Filipe Nyusi, it aims to coordinate efforts and measures with the aim of improving fishing surveillance, control and inspection in order to eradicate illegal and unreported fishing activities.
“Activities such as hydrocarbon exploration, tourism and scientific research, among others, are subject to illegal behaviors and practices such as drug trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing and pollution, among others, which requires us to combat illegal activities at sea and take strict measures,” Nyusi said during his speech to launch the construction of the center.
The center was established in 2023 by SADC Member States and will be financed by the World Bank.
According to the Minister of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Lidia Cardoso, Mozambique loses $60 million every year due to illegal fishing activities.
