Gabon Calls on Neighbors to Prevent Illegal Fishing
Gabon has called on other African countries to step up efforts to protect marine eco-system against illegal fishing. The Gabonese Government, in conjunction with Sea Shepherd Global, a non-governmental organisation, recently carried a successful a five-month surveillance mission at sea dubbed Operation Albacore.
Gabon’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers over 200,000 square kilometres of highly productive waters that is responsible for 20 per cent of global tuna catches in the Atlantic. “As a continent, we need to join hands to fight illegal fishing that threatens our economic mainstay,” said Gabriel Tchango, Gabonese Minister for State and Minister for Fisheries and Livestock. Like Gabon, Kenya also faces challenges in protecting its marine ecosystem.
Ollivier Girard/CIFOR