Mozambique: Inhambane fishermen enact community closed season

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Mozambique: Inhambane fishermen enact community closed season

8:11 CAT | 10 Sep 2021

Illustrative photo: O País

Fishermen in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane have unilaterally decided to enact a community closed season, for the next three months, a move that is intended not only prevent the local extinction of several species, but also to improve the size of their catch, reports the independent television station STV.

The closed season along Inhambane bay, scheduled to begin in 15 September and last until 15 December, is on a voluntary basis and fishermen have been advised to carry out other activities to ensure their livelihoods, such as farming.

Throughout the period, to be overseen by the community fishing councils, nets will not be permitted and only line fishing will be allowed.

Jose Luciano, who has been working as a fisherman for over 20 years, claimed that some fish and crustacean species are disappearing from Inhambane, a sure sign of overfishing. The number of hours buyers have to wait on the beaches for the fishermen coming from the sea has been growing, as they find it increasingly difficult to catch fish.

Antonio Cabral, director of Ocean Revolution, an NGO for marine advocacy, praised the moves taken by the communities which show the importance of closed seasons for sustainable management of marine resources.

Every year, the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries enacts a closed season. Between the second half of October and the end of December, the ministry bans the fishing of mangrove crabs, and between November and March bars the fishing of surface prawns, a move intended to secure a safe and sound improvement in the catch.

Source: AIM