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SADC Marine Fisheries Ministers to sign declaration to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Windhoek
3 July 2008
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi will on 4 July 2008, represent the Republic of South Africa in the Marine Fisheries Ministerial Conference where a Declaration to stop Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing will be signed. The conference will be held in Windhoek, Namibia.
Fisheries resources play a central role in food security and poverty eradication in the region. The increasing globalisation of the fisheries market offers multiple possibilities for unscrupulous operators to trade in fish and fisheries products deriving from IUU in a profitable manner, which constitutes a strong incentive for them to continue with illegal fishing.
The IUU must be stopped to safeguard the food security and to ensure sustainability of fisheries, the conservation of marine living resources, marine biodiversity and the entire marine ecosystem.
Delegates attending the conference from 2 to 4 July are from a wide group of stakeholders, including Southern African Development Community (SADC) coastal member states and non state players from the region, as well as international players engaged in fisheries or supporting fishery development in the region.
For more information:
Moses Rannditsheni
Cell: 082 448 2450
Tel: 012 310 3899
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
3 July 2008
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)