This has been said by the Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, John Magufuli.
He said the cameras would enable fisheries officials to nab vessels
which fish marine products illegally and those which were not licensed
by authorities.
Minister Magufuli said the number of unlicensed vessels fishing in the country`s Indian Ocean waters was growing.
He said according to records vessels licensed to fish in the water did
not exceed 90, but currently there were over 500 vessels operating in
the Indian Ocean.
“These 500 vessels are robbing us of our natural resources making the government lose its income,“ he said.
He said the government was committed to review licenses issued to vessels operating in our territorial waters.
Surveys show that East African countries including Tanzania suffer an annual loss of USD 310million through illegal fishing.
Despite having 21 rivers, 3 lakes and an ocean, fishing in Tanzania
contributes only 1.7 percent to GDP compared to 23 percent in Namibia
which relies only on the sea as a source.
At a meeting in Uganda held last year findings of the survey revealed
that fish catches in East Africa, including Tanzania, have declined
significantly mainly due to illegal fishing.
In a new move to control illegal fishing in territorial waters last
year the Government hiked fishing license fees for foreign vessels.
Foreign fishing vessels now pay USD 12,000 for three months or USD
5,000 per month instead of USD 16,000 they were paying per year.
Under the new fishing license fees local fishing vessels pay USD 4,500 for three months or USD 1,500 per month.
Foreign long liner crafts are charged USD 32,000 per year or USD 3,500
per month instead of USD 16,000 they were paying per year.
Local long liners are supposed to pay USD 1000 per month or USD 6,000 annually.
Analysts say the war against illegal and unsustainable fishing
practices must be undertaken concurrently with the fight against blast
fishing and poor farming methods which destroy coral reefs.
For example in northeast Tanzania, regional and district government
authorities are implementing integrated coastal management focused on
coral reef restoration and community-based management with assistance
from IUCN and Irish Aid.
IPP Media
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