Africa-Press – Mozambique. According to the Mozambican Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, the catch of fisheries produce reached 232,000 tonnes in the first six months of this year, which is 48 per cent of planned production and a five per cent growth compared with the same period in 2020.
The figure was announced on Friday in Maputo by the Minister of Fisheries, Augusta Maita, addressing a meeting of the Ministry’s Coordinating Council. She said that the target for this year is 481,000 tonnes of fisheries produce, including 6,000 tonnes from aquaculture.
Maita said the plan includes the export of 12,000 tonnes of fishery produce. About 4,600 tonnes have already been sold on foreign markets, which is 37 per cent of the target and a 14 per cent growth compared with the same period in 2020.
“The positive export result was thanks to the opening of some Asian markets for the export of live crab and lobster, despite some lingering difficulties in accessing traditional markets because of the measures put in place to control the Covid-19 pandemic,” Maita said.
As for revenue, the sector has earned 227 million meticais (about 3.6 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate) out of the 421 million meticais planned, representing 54 per cent of the target and a five per cent slump compared to the same period in 2020.
As far as the Ministry’s Social and Economic Plan (PES) is concerned, about 44 million meticais have been invested in several projects carried out by 243 fish farmers in Sofala, Zambezia and Nampula provinces.
“Out of the planned 290 fish tanks on land and 410 fish farming pens, we have built 184 tanks and 100 pens”, she added.
Maita pointed out that the ministry has also carried out inspections through the closed season, between January and March, and in the provinces of Sofala, Zambezia and Nampula there were 802 patrol missions. The other provinces had 535 missions.
“The mission led to the seizure of about 2,000 items of harmful fishing gear which have a direct negative impact on the ecosystems and consequently on the sea. We have to eliminate the harmful practices which consist mainly in using mosquito nets and raphia bags for fishing,” she declared.
She also stressed that the annual losses of mangrove forests, estimated at 90 hectares along the country’s coastline, poses a serious concern, despite the tireless restoration efforts undertaken by the fisheries sector.
