Blue Economy: East Africa\'s Fishing Nations Agree to Sustainable Catch Limits

East Africa Blue Economy

The Western Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, signed at a summit in Maputo, establishes a 10-year framework with science-based catch limits for 22 commercially significant species, combating the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing that has depleted stocks by an estimated 40% over the past decade.

A joint regional fisheries commission will oversee implementation, supported by satellite vessel monitoring mandatory for all vessels over 12 metres operating in signatory waters.

The agreement includes provisions for community fishing rights, protecting the livelihoods of an estimated 800,000 small-scale fisherpeople who depend on the Western Indian Ocean for food security and income.

This article was reported by the AfriDevMonitor editorial team. Additional reporting contributed by our correspondents in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, and Cairo.