'People have the right to know how much is paid, how much is fished, how and by whom'

Isabella Lovin, Sweden International Cooperation Minister, is interviewed by Jedna Deida. It has been published on Mauriweb Info http://mauriweb.info/node/1549

You just ended a visit to Mauritania. You met Mauritanian high authorities. Can you tell us what has been discussed?

Yes, I visited Mauritania to attend the FiTI conference, where I was invited as a key note speaker, due to my long time engagement in sustainable fisheries. Of course I also met with members of the government and the President, discussing Swedish-Mauritanian relations. We have a common interest in sustainable fisheries, and we were also discussing more broadly on sustainable development, the importance of fight against corruption and the importance of transparency, as well as the freedom of the press.

What do think about the FiTI Conference and what can be expected from all fisheries partners to improve FiTi’s achievements?

I think it is excellent that Mauritania is taking the lead in this Fisheries Transparency initiative, that now important fishing countries such as Indonesia and Senegal have joined. What has now to be developed are the technical FiTI standards and I expect the transparency will be needed in at least three areas: on payments, on catches and on tenure arrangements. The public has the right to know how much is being paid, how much is being fished, how and by whom.

What would be the concrete benefits of transparency in African fisheries when it comes to the activities of industrial fishing in our waters?

It is greatly important for two reasons. First of all to fight corruption. By publishing all fisheries access agreements, the terms and the IMO numbers of boats involved, civil society and free media can hold their governments accountable. Secondly, it is essential to conserve the marine resources. Full transparency on catches is needed to make stock assessments, and it is important for local populations and local fishermen that should have priority access to the fish. It’s only if there is a surplus not needed by local fishermen, that any fishing should be allowed for foreign fleets.

Do you think an initiative like the FiTI will live up to our expectations?

It depends on all the stakeholders that are engaged. It's too early to tell.

What is needed to ensure it doesn't become just a 'whitewashing' exercise for African governments, to attract more foreign investments without changing their opaque behaviors?

What is needed is true commitment by governments and full engagement of civil society actors and organisations. It is also important to keep in mind that governments actually are gaining from committing to transparency and long term sustainability. For the EU, a condition for signing fisheries agreements is that EU only negotiates for a surplus of fish, not needed by local populations. Then countries need to publish all their agreements if they want a fisheries agreement with the EU. This is what we changed with the new EU Common Fisheries Policy.

As a European Parliamentarian, you have been one of the most involved fighter to defend responsible and sustainable fishing on the African coast. Now, as Sweden Minister of international cooperation, what can you promote to help fishermen in Africa?

Sweden is engaged in a number of ways, supporting fisheries research and capacity building in Africa. We see that fisheries is an important source of livelihood for millions of people and also that fish is an important source of proteins - it is all too important to be destroyed by overfishing. Therefore we now include sustainable management of fisheries in our regional cooperation strategy for Africa.

EU-Senegal fisheries agreement debated in European Parliament: CFFA/APRAPAM recommendations

The proposal for a recommendation  on the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Senegal, and its implementation protocol, will be discussed in the European Parliament on December 3d. CFFA and APRAPAM wish to reiterate their positions and recommendations with respect to this agreement.

We welcome the fact that no access was negotiated for sardinella in the SFPA, since the status of this overexploited stock requires measures to be taken towards the reduction of fishing effort. Access to this resource, strategic for food security, should be reserved to sustainable small-scale fisheries.

However, this resource is targeted through other EU fisheries agreements, with Morocco and Mauritania. It is therefore a priority that both EU and Senegal agree to promote a regional management of the exploitation of these resources, with privileged access to fleets operating sustainably, for direct human consumption.

We recall that the measures for real-time reporting capture data and boarding of observers must be implemented for EU tuna vessels and be extended to all fleets currently operating in Senegal.

Furthermore, as the EU should only have access to the surplus of resources identified on the basis of the best scientific data, we request that a scientific study be conducted to define the status of the hake stock, to confirm or deny fishing opportunities for this species to be allocated to EU vessels under this agreement.

We emphasize the need for greater transparency and stakeholder participation, in particular the European and Senegalese Parliaments, professional organisations and civil society organisations, to be adequately informed and consulted throughout the implementation of the Agreement, including by participating as observers in the meetings of the Joint Committee. Particular attention should be given to how sectoral support will be used; its implementation should be subject to an annual evaluation.

Finally, we ask that, in the framework of the EU-Senegal fisheries partnership agreement, a study is conducted on how to make joint ventures operations transparent, without negative impacts on coastal communities, and in line with the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources and preservation of ecosystems in Senegal.

EU/Morocco FPA: ongoing negotiations of a new protocol

The third round of negotiations on a new protocol of the Fisheries Agreement between EU and Morocco took place in Rabat on 15 and 16 January 2013. Following two rounds essentially dealing with the technical conditions that would apply to the EU fleet under the new protocol, the discussions dealt with financial aspects as well as with political issues. At this stage, the parties agreed to consider an increase of fishing opportunities, whereas technical conditions are being revised for certain fishing categories, with a view to optimise future fishing effort. Exchange of views has also taken place about the envisaged financial support of fishing sector in regard with programming, implementation and reporting conditions. The previous protocol had been signed in 2011 but rejected by the European Parliament.

Source: 

• http://ec.europa.eu/information_soc...