By George M.O. Williams
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources failed to institute effective monitoring, surveillance and control system of fishing activities according to the 2020 Auditor General’s report.
The Report indicates that outstation fishing officers were not present to monitor activities of artisanal fishing vessels in landing sites and monofilament nets were still being used by artisanal fishermen even though it has been banned.
It was reported that no surveillance was carried out on artisanal fishing activities in 2019 and only 18 % of the intended surveillance was carried out for the review period (2016-2020).
The Report also captured the fact that monitoring personnel were not provided with safety insurance, monitoring and surveillance plans for inspection.
The Report also shows that evidence of payment of performance bond by foreign fishing companies were not presented for inspection and defaulters were fined lesser than what is quoted in the Fisheries Act Regulations. It further revealed that although some fishing companies breached regulations and were fined, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources did not take action on defaulters of fines.
It shows that details of payments to fishing observers had not been submitted for inspection and that fees for licenses of 12% and 29% had been collected in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Fishing vessels were also constructed without the knowledge of the Ministry.