By winifred Bulus
Four illegal fishing vessels have been arrested by the Sierra Leone fishery authority and the green peace organization of Africa, a campaign for tackling climate change, stopping the looting of the continent’s fish and saving the forests.
The arrest was made during a joint surveillance conducted by the two authorities.
The vessels were arrested for infringements of Sierra Leone fishing legislation, including possessing or using illegal fishing nets on board.
There was no visible marking and a lack of required paperwork, including log books and authorisation for unloading catch.
Two out of the arrested vessels are Chinese vessels, one Korean and another belonging to an Italian company. All vessels have been taken to Freetown port for further investigation.
The Italian vessel was reported to have had more than 70 carcasses of sharks which is against the European union fishing rules.
The EU has prohibited shark finning since 2003, but an exemption allows fishermen with special permits to remove the fins from their carcass out at sea and bring back the remainders together or land them in different ports.
Greenpeace Africa Oceans campaigner, Ahmed Diame, said: “The findings from just four days of surveillance in Sierra Leone are further evidence that West Africa needs to strengthen its fisheries management.
“The region’s marine resources are being depleted at alarming rates, mainly due to too many boats competing for too few fish, and high rates of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. This ongoing plunder is a threat to millions of people in the region who depend on the oceans for their food.”
Pan Wenjing, Greenpeace East Asia oceans campaigner, said: “From talking to Chinese captains during the inspections, it is evident that they have a very limited understanding of local fisheries legislation. Given that almost half of the foreign fishing vessels in Sierra Leone are Chinese, this is a major concern.
“These vessels need much stricter supervision. In addition, Chinese fishing companies need to supply training on local legislation to all overseas staff.”
Fishing is a major source of livelihood for in Sierra Leon and a major diet. Nearly one million of Sierra Leone’s population is dependent on fishing.