Preserve resources, ACP chief tells delegates

Fisheries agreements in place have not taken into account the need to preserve resources says ACP group of states secretary general Dr Ibn Chambas.

Speaking during the ACP Fisheries meeting today in Nadi Dr Chambas said analysis of the situation have shown that it is necessary to rethink agreements to ensure they contribute to sustainable fishing, which will benefit the coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood, and which is a vector for development.

Dr Chambas said coordinated efforts is required to combat illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUU), which is a major threat to the sustainability of the sector and to defend the interests of small-scale fishing, which generates considerable employment.

“In this respect, it is important to find a solution to the lack of suitable equipment for the surveillance and monitoring of ships and coastlines,” said Dr Chambas.

“One of the other challenges facing the sector involves the conditions in which products are distributed or exported,” he said.

“Two issues must be highlighted in this regard, one is the sanitary condition of the product and the other is its degree of processing,” he said.

He also said to achieve their objectives they need to think and work together as this is will enable them to share their experiences.

The meeting will end tomorrow.

By Mereani Gonedua