South Africa, Chile sign agreement to tackle illegal fishing, boost Aquaculture
SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa and Chile have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture while addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in their waters.
According to South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), the agreement will enhance bilateral cooperation and promote sustainable practices in the fisheries sector.
The MoU focuses on advancing research in fisheries and aquaculture, sharing scientific findings, and exchanging technology and best practices.
It also details capacity building through knowledge sharing in small-scale and industrial fisheries management, regulatory strategies, and enforcement methods.
Efforts to combat IUU fishing include joint initiatives targeting marine resource crimes.
This agreement follows both countries’ individual ratifications of a World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies agreement, which prohibits practices such as supporting IUU fishing and the exploitation of overfished stocks.
South Africa ratified the agreement in March 2024, while Chile did so in December 2023.
Both nations face significant challenges related to illegal and overfishing activities.
South Africa reportedly loses an estimated US$60 million annually due to abalone poaching, according to the wildlife trade-monitoring organization TRAFFIC.
The illegal trade also threatens species such as lobster and mud crab.
In Chile, overfishing continues to impact Patagonian toothfish, or Chilean sea bass, despite regulations designed to protect the species.
Both countries have been through ups and down in their respective industries.
In 2021, South Africa’s total fishery production reached 914,948 tonnes, a decrease from 2.1 million tonnes in 1968 but an increase from 722,333 tonnes in 1991.
The country’s aquaculture production was recorded at 11,355 tonnes in 2022, up from under 3,000 tonnes in 2000 but below its 2003 peak of 6,500 tonnes.
Fish consumption in South Africa stood at 156,000 tonnes in 2023 and is projected to decline to 146,000 tonnes by 2028.
On the other hand, Chile is a major global player in aquaculture, producing 31% of the world’s salmon and 22% of its Chilean mussels in 2021, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
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