Stranded for months due to Covid-19, Mauritian fishers are now stuck between polluted waters and insufficient support

This in-depth article explains the impacts of the Wakashio oil spill on small-scale fisheries and calls for more inclusion and participation of local coastal communities in decision-making processes of post-Covid recovery

On July 25th, 2020, the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground off the south eastern coast of Mauritius, leading to one of the worst oil spill crisis in the Indian Ocean history. When the Ramsar protected marine areas and rich fishing grounds of the lagoons turned black, local fishermen were amongst the thousands of volunteers working around the clock to mitigate the effects of this ecological disaster. Three months later, they are struggling to make ends meet, with no information as to when they will be able to fish again.

As the main supply of fresh fish for local markets, artisanal fisheries in Mauritius are critical for food security on the island, providing employment opportunities and protein to thousands of households. They also provide fish for the tourism industry, a pillar of the country’s economy. But the covid-19 crisis brought artisanal fishing to a standstill when fishers were precluded to go at sea during a national lockdown in March 2020, whilst hotels and restaurants shut down and demand collapsed. At the time, registered fishers received “bad weather allowances” - i.e. financial compensations for each day they cannot fish  - and those who had taken a credit at the Development Bank of Mauritius did not have to pay that month. However, just as the situation began to improve a few months later, about 1000 tons of crude oil spilled from the wrecked MV Wakashio into the southeastern lagoons, stranding fishermen once again.

Due to the polluted waters, it is currently forbidden to commercialize or consume fish from the area. As a compensation, a monthly financial support of Rs 10 200 (216€, roughly the average salary for a local fisher) has been made available by the authorities to the approximatively 400 registered local fishers. This support, determined by the government without consultation with any fishermen association, fails to account for the different needs of families and is insufficient for many.

Only registered fishermen have access to financial support from the government. Many fisherfolk struggle to obtain licences becuse of complicated procedural requirements. Photo: Artiom Vallat - Unsplash/@virussinside

Several also decry the lack of official explanations as to the eligibility criteria. Amongst them are the hundreds of unregistered artisanal fishers, many of which are women engaged in both commercial and subsistence fishing. The reason fishermen and women fail to obtain a fishing license is related to the complications in meeting certain procedural requirements. For instance, they must provide a catch record to fisheries authorities. In places which lack infrastructure, catch records are collected by officers, who may come at times when fishers are unavailable. Unable to give their record, the whole application process is then slowed down.

Because of the ban, these unregistered fishers cannot legally fish, and without a license, they cannot benefit from the compensation scheme, bad weather allowance or other financial support. With no food or income, they are often forced to go out fishing illegally, and sell or consume potentially toxic fish.

In community meetings held by Eco-Sud, a local environmental NGO, local fishers also expressed health concerns from the oil spill exposure, and their worries regarding the increase in drug use and domestic violence among the community.

A FOCUS ON ‘BLUE’ INDUSTRIES FOR POST COVID-19 RECOVERY?

Despite these concerns and the troubled times ahead, artisanal fishermen are unlikely to find solace in the country’s recovery plan. The Mauritian Government aims to double its “blue” GDP to 20 percent in the medium term, “while realizing social economic development and dynamic balance of resources and environment.” Yet, this includes investing in many polluting, capital-intensive sectors, from which coastal communities rarely benefit from. As we have often pointed out, despite its claims of being inclusive, blue growth rarely is, and the current situation has exacerbated the lack of dialogue and effective consultation with all stakeholders.

Artisanal fishers in the southeast of the island nation are not provided with adequate support nor any information as to when they will be allowed to fish again. Tests have been conducted by both the government and a fish farm located in the bay - which surprisingly continues to operate – but the results have not been made public. Yet, the oil has been described by independent experts as a “complex and unusual mix of hydrocarbons”, with some suggesting that the fuel may have been made from plastic waste. These concerns call for more transparency, which the authorities still fail to provide.

The government post Covid-19 recovery plan includes a strong emphasis on industrial fisheries, especially through joint ventures, and a “special” consideration to small-scale fisheries through new FADs, both measures that encourage overfishing. Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur - Unsplash/@weanimalsmedia

A focus on industrial fisheries without giving due regards to the needs of artisanal fishers is unlikely to reduce poverty nor ensure food security. Still, in its latest budget plan published after the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, the government calls for massive investments in large scale fisheries through joint ventures, with an emphasis on industrial pelagic and demersal fishing to increase exports and generate foreign currency. “Special consideration” is given to artisanal fishermen, notably by adding new fish aggregating devices (FADs) to facilitate their catch. However, this comes with the risk of perturbing ecosystems even more, and, conjunctively with increased industrial fishing, further depleting fish stocks, which would have drastic consequences on the long-term.

As the country works towards its post Covid-19 economic recovery, there are great risks that the focus will be on business opportunities providing short-term benefits, while the needs of artisanal fishers are likely to be side-lined. The financial, health and societal concerns of fishing communities in the south-east must be addressed with sufficient economic and technical support. It has been estimated that the effects of the polluted waters due to the oil spill may take 15 years to be back to “normal.” The government, still silent at the moment, must promote the participation of all stakeholders, including women, and a fair access to resources in order to ensure sustainable artisanal fisheries development.

Banner photo by @easycabmauritius/Unsplash

Louis Lambrechts

Louis is a lawyer specialized in environmental law and the law of the sea. He is currently based in South Africa where he works to protect and promote the environmental and human rights of communities across the continent.

---