Fisheries: Mozambique sets dates for 2025–2026 closed seasons

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Fisheries: Mozambique sets dates for 2025–2026 closed seasons

3:28 CAT | 15 Oct 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Domingo]

Industrial and semi-industrial fishing will be suspended from 1 January to 1 March 2026, and artisanal fishing from 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026

The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday to review various matters, including the sustainable management of the country’s fishery resources.

Government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa announced that the Executive had been informed of the new closed and restricted seasons for surface shrimp, mangrove crab, and octopus fisheries.

“These measures aim to ensure the preservation of the species and allow their natural reproduction, contributing to the sustainability of national fishing,” he stated.

According to the spokesperson, “for surface shrimp in the North Sofala banks, the closed season runs from 1 October to 31 December 2025, with the aim of protecting the breeders.”

Impissa further explained that “industrial and semi-industrial fishing will be suspended from 1 January to 1 March 2026, and artisanal fishing from 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026.”

He added that “the South Sofala and Govuro banks will observe a closed season from 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026, while Maputo Bay and the mouth of the Limpopo River will have restrictions from 1 December 2025 to 31 March 2026.”

Regarding mangrove crab and octopus, the spokesperson clarified that “restrictions will be in force from 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, covering the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Inhambane.”

During these periods, he warned, “processing and fish-selling establishments are prohibited from acquiring, transporting, processing, or trading products covered by the closed season, except those properly declared in stock.”

Impissa concluded by emphasising that “the Government will apply administrative and criminal sanctions to offenders, including withholding fishing licences for 2026.”

Source: Domingo