An international illegal fishing vessel was recently arrested in Gabon, representing a landmark achievement in marine enforcement, just five years after President Ali Bongo Ondimba declared the creation of nine national marine parks and one year after WildAid began supporting Gabon with technical expertise and equipment.

Last month, Gabonese fisheries enforcement officers in conjunction with Sea Shepherd’s Bob Barker crew arrested Chinese flagged Haixin 27 for illegally fishing in Gabonese waters. The ship crossed into Gabon from the Republic of the Congo and carried no logbook despite having a vessel full of fish. Although not actively fishing at the time of apprehension, electronic evidence seized on board proved the Haixin 27 had fished illegally in Gabon in the past.

A Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera with a 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Telephoto Lens were provided by WildAid and are central to supporting the investigation, which is currently underway in Port Gentil, the second-largest city of Gabon, and its largest seaport.

“The arrest of Haixin 27 further proves that Gabon’s investment in protecting its national marine parks is paying off,” says WildAid Marine Director, Meaghan Brosnan. “By making conservation a pillar of development, the Gabonese people are both safeguarding their stunning natural environment and creating a more resilient economy.”

Economically, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) results in a roughly $610 million net loss to the total Gabonese Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per year. In 2016, 51 vessels were inspected, and six arrests occurred. In 2017, that number increased to 80 vessels and nine arrests.

Illegal trawlers and commercial fishers, like Chinese Haixin 27 and its sister fishers Haixin 23 and Haixin 25, illegally enter Gabonese waters during tuna fishing season while artisanal fishers, which come from neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, tend to fish in tributaries and mangroves. Safeguarding these habitats is essential as an estimated 80% of the global fish catch relies on mangrove forests, where spawning fish seek shade and juveniles are protected until fully grown.

WildAid’s marine protection program supports in-country partners to prevent illegal fishing by providing equipment, expertise, and resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner. In Gabon, in addition to the equipment used to investigate Haixin 27, WildAid has provided a thermal monocular, which helps catch poachers at night, VHF radios, night vision binoculars, smartphones, and emergency beacons, which allow fishing vessel observers to call for help.

Later this year, WildAid will be involved in a robust training program with its Gabonese partner, the National Agency of National Parks (ANPN), which protects roughly 10% of the country’s land and marine parks and builds relationships with local fishing villages to ensure well-maintained fisheries.

“Gabon has been going through a historical transformation,” says Karima Cherif, Regional Project Manager for WildAid Gabon. “New political appointments and confiscations of illegally caught fish are sending a clear message that corruption will no longer be tolerated and the environment will come first.”

The impact of this transformation is evident in local villages, says Cherif. About two years ago, a village chief was arrested for illegally catching 12 turtles in a marine park and was sentenced to three months in jail. The chief was apprehended by none other than his nephew, an eco-guard, who then stepped in as the family’s breadwinner until the uncle was released.

“Luckily, his uncle understood that his nephew was only doing his job, and they still have a solid relationship,” says Cherif.

The ripple effect of this new, shared responsibility to protect the environment is paying off. Due to investments in new infrastructure and technical training, 250 tons of tuna was discharged last month in Gabon – the first time in the nation’s history. The added capacity is no doubt needed as Gabonese annually consume on average 40kg of fish per person, more than double the global average.

The economic impact and potential for growth in well-managed fisheries is clear. Legal fisheries contribute to roughly $1.3 billion to the Gabonese economy, around 9% of the Gabonese GDP while small-scale fisheries alone contribute $800 million to the total economy.

“Conservation management and marine protection are vital factors in Gabon’s socio-economic growth,” says Brosnan. “With more than 160 years of cumulative enforcement experience on our team, we’re committed to helping Gabon defend its wildlife and make the promise of their MPAs a reality.”

WildAid’s work in Gabon is part of its ambitious plan to strengthen enforcement of 250 marine and coastal areas by 2025. These areas have been designated as protected but lack crucial support, thereby leaving local marine wildlife and coastal communities vulnerable to overexploitation.

Source: https://wildaid.org/gabon-arrest-of-illegal-trawler-shows-promise-of-marine-protection/

An eco ranger holds up a monkey carcass found in abandoned nets. Like others, he also had to confront his family about illegal fishing. After warning his father on several occasions to avoid fishing in a restricted zone, he had to confiscate the family’s pirogue and motor.




A Gabonese eco-ranger uses binoculars during a patrol for illegal fishing vessels.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0LFeMYJpNs

Video of the arrest.

Nigeria should stsrt taking illegal fishing seriously like Gabon by arresting these illegal fishers. If this was done we would reduce fish imports and save the precious forex. No ban or forex restrictions required just do your jobs.

About two years ago, a village chief was arrested for illegally catching 12 turtles in a marine park and was sentenced to three months in jail. The chief was apprehended by none other than his nephew, an eco-guard, 

Lol that's dedication. The uncle should have heeded the warning.

Bump

Blue3k2:
Nigeria should stsrt taking illegal fishing seriously like Gabon by arresting these illegal fishers. If this was done we would reduce fish imports and save the precious forex. No ban or forex restrictions required just do your jobs.

Lol that's dedication. The uncle should have heeded the warning.

A country where human lives means nothing except you are a politician

A reverend father was killed recently and it hardly made the news

But a senator was beaten and it went viral

Yet our neighbors can't see that politicians don't care... They are there worshipping Tinubu and lai Muhammad

KidsNEXTdoor:


A country where human lives means nothing except you are a politician

A reverend father was killed recently and it hardly made the news

But a senator was beaten and it went viral

Yet our neighbors can't see that politicians don't care... They are there worshipping Tinubu and lai Muhammad

Sure I can agree people like the drama of polictics. I can say both stories hit front page here. I understand why the politicians case went viral considering its out of ordinary.

Anyway the plight of Fishermen in general isnt very important to anyone. The Chinese illegal fishers is talked about in passing without Buhari having navy do much about them and pirates. The issue should be addressed since there will inflation in fish after new policies take effect.