Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan Navy (MGA) has registered, since 2022, more than 40 thousand intrusions of fishing boats near oil platforms, revealed, Wednesday, in Luanda, commander Valentim António.
Speaking at the meeting that brought together representatives from the National Oil and Gas Agency (ANPG), the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Provincial Government of Luanda (GPL) and fishing associations, Valentim António said that the objective is to analyze the repeated intrusions of fishing vessels into oil security perimeters.
In addition to the invasions of vessels into restricted security areas of the platforms, added the Navy commander, the aim is to remove the resources that frequently operate near the naval base, as it is benefiting from requalification works.
According to the official, the large number of boats that invade the oil blocks and interrupt the exploration activities of the product, as well as the ongoing seismic research work.
In total, Valentim António explained, the maritime oil exploration exercise costs the State several billion dollars, denouncing that the operators of fishing vessels violate the established rules, go close to the platforms and enter these areas, to the point of creating several dangers.
As a result of this agreement, the Navy commander suggests that fishing associations and other operators work together with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, GPL and other related institutions with a view to providing them with solutions regarding the areas in which they will operate.
“The Navy has its own objective, which is to maintain security and defend the common good at a national level,” he said.
The Director of Infrastructure and Technical Services of the Provincial Government of Luanda (ISTGPL), Calunga Quissanga, said at the time that the process is not recent, but assured that artisanal fishing operators will be able to continue carrying out normal activities, in an area not yet indicated by the GPL, for safety reasons.
For the secretary for Artisanal Fishing of the Artisanal, Semi-industrial and Industrial Fishing Association of Luanda (APASIL), Cândido Silva, there were worrying levels outside the norms, on the part of the operators, highlighting that currently a very significant reduction is observed, resulting from the various works carried out with the Angolan Navy and awareness raising among members.
The official also acknowledged the danger of working in that area, adding that there was a space designated by GPL, in the municipality of Sarico, Bengo province, which was in unsuitable conditions for carrying out the activity. In view of this, the secretary of APASIL suggested that a fishing port for artisanal fishing be built in the designated area.
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