Indian Ocean countries agree to halt the use of industrial fishing gear that drastically depletes tuna stocks

Indian Ocean states agreed on Monday to temporarily halt the use of industrial fishing gear that is heavily depleting tuna stocks, in a victory for seaside states that protect communities in coastal areas. rely on small-scale fishing methods to sustain their livelihood.

The decision comes after three days of turbulent talks at a 30-member Indian Ocean Tuna Commission meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, where the developing nation was at odds with the European Union, whose member states rely more on purse seiners and long liners . are more destructive to the marine environment.

The new resolution “may finally give yellowfin and bigeye populations space to rebuild,” said Frédéric Le Manch, scientific director of French ocean conservation group Bloom.

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New rules on tuna fisheries nearly failed over the weekend when Kenya’s fisheries minister withdrew support for the proposal, with some observers saying the change of heart could be due to pressure from the European Union. But 11 other states, led by the Indonesian delegation, moved the proposal.

A fisherman catches a yellowfin tuna after fishing in Wanga, Kenya, June 14, 2022. Countries around the Indian Ocean agreed on February 6, 2023 to temporarily halt the use of industrial fishing gear that is depleting tuna stocks. (AP Photo/Brian Enganga, File)

“The tenacity shown by all supporters proves that unity can bring movement in a better direction for the conservation and management of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean,” Putuh Suadela, head of the Indonesian delegation, told The Associated Press.

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Maldivian fisheries expert Hussain Sinan said the new rules introduced by coastal states are “monumental” and will redefine local marine management in the region.

The EU has previously been accused of “colonial tendencies” in the Indian Ocean and of subsidizing its fishing industry through unfair quotas and opaque fisheries. More than 200,000 metric tons of fish are caught annually in the Indian Ocean by its member states. According to UN rules, the EU has 120 days to object to the proposal.

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Frédéric Le Manch said, “coastal nations are still fearful of distant fishing nations, especially the EU,” but added, “what happened over the past three days sends a very strong signal: the EU’s The days of bullying may be over.”

The European Union has yet to issue a statement and the AP has sought comment.