Agadir, Morocco-The Executive Secretary of ATLAFCO, Abdelouahed Benabbou, has cherished the critical involvement of African Journalists in the fight against Illegal , underreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing Africa.
Mr. Benabbou argued that the role of the media especially the Media Observatory for Sustainable Fisheries in Africa (MOSFA) is crucial to the realization of the ATLAFCO’s dream to eliminate IUU fishing in Africa.
He said the fight against IUU fishing must be collective with MOSFA members given increase support to help them report on the growing threats of IUU fishing in order for the relevant authorities to take the appropriate measures against the practice.
Mr.Benabbaou noted IUU fishing is not only a threat to the marine resources, but it also undermines revenue growth in the fisheries sector of Africa.
The ATLAFCO Executive Secretary renewed his entity’s commitment in strengthening its partnership with MOSFA with the aim of building effective media campaign as part of effort to battle IUU fishing.
Mr. Benabbaou made the statement recently in Agadir,Morocco, at an intensive training workshop for MOSFA members organized by ATLAFCO to build the capacity of Journalists in the ATLAFCO region on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management.
The participating MOSFA members, at the end of the training, presented a resolution to ATLAFCO authorities to enhance and consolidate the already existing partnership with the two entities.
The resolution called on ATLAFCO to provide technical and financial support to MOSFA to strengthen its regional and sub-regional members in the fight against IUU.
Prior to the resolution, the Journalists were taken on a field trip visiting National Institute of Fisheries Research, Higher Institute of Marine Fisheries and the Fishing Village all in Agadir.
During their visit, the Director of the Institute of Fisheries Research, Mariam Kahrroubi welcomed the MOSFA and the ATLAFCO delegate and offered to work along with them in the area of capacity building on sustainable fisheries in Africa.
Madam Kahrroubi noted that working with the media will help to improve the fight against illegal fishing and promote good fishing practices in Africa.
