FAO-supported fisheries policy and strategy becomes law in Mozambique
A policy and strategy for fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), prepared by the Mozambique government with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has become law after it was adopted by a government resolution and was published in the national official gazette.
FAO supported the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries in the elaboration of the new Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Policy and Implementation Strategy, which is anchored in the Strategy and Action Plan for the implementation of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), Complementary International Instruments and Regional Mechanisms to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
Prepared in 2017 and 2019 the Strategy was endorsed by the Mozambican government on 18 August 2020 based on which, a workplan of assistance, financed by Sweden, was elaborated and endorsed on 15 May 2021. The workplan has been implemented with FAO support since then.
The Council of Ministers in Mozambique approved the resolution on 7 November 2023, henceforth updating and repealing the MCS policy which had been in force since 2008. The new Fisheries MCS Policy and Implementation Strategy adopts new concepts, such as the ecosystem approach to fisheries, introduces a broader perspective on all maritime activities, incorporates new international and regional obligations of Mozambique, including those derived from the PSMA, and improves the institutional articulation of enforcement actions.
The Fisheries MCS Policy and Implementation Strategy seeks to bring about an effective and efficient MCS system to combat IUU fishing and promote sustainable and responsible fishing, contributing to Mozambique's socio-economic development as an integral part of a blue economy.