Suwareh Jabai, the deputy permanent secretary at the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources  and National Assembly Matters, has said the government recognises the problem of depleting fishery stocks, degradation of coastal environments and loss of coastal habitats which are transboundary in character.

DPS Jabai was speaking on behalf of the SoS for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, at the opening of the regional training of fisheries personnel from IMO member countries, at the Paradise Suites Hotel yesterday.

DPS Jabai said the protection of precious fisheries resources requires the production and application of legal instruments and an up-to-date mechanism for control, monitoring and surveillance from the air, land and sea.

DPS Jabai expressed gratitude to note that the IMO has considered the training of fisheries personnel as part of its capacity building programme.

In Africa, he continued, the industrial and artisanal maritime fishing vessels frequently operate close to each other.

He then added: "Even though there are zonal limitations stipulated in the regulations and enforced by naval authorities, the problems of encroachment by both types of operators still persist because fishermen are anxiously plying the waters in all areas in search of fish which are becoming less available as a result of over exploitation of the resources globally."

For his part, Milton Baron, the technical officer at the Maritime Training and Human Element Section of the International Marine Organisation (IMO), said there is an urgent need to ensure that standards of training and operational safety are adequately addressed on a global basis.

In view of the high rate of casualties, injuries and loss of lives, Mr Baron said that it is imperative to focus on implementing mandatory instruments that will address this issue and place an obligation on states to provide safeguards for fishing vessels personnel and establish appropriate training, certification and safety procedures.

The five day regional seminar and workshop is intended to increase participants awareness on the need to focus on proper education. Participants will be introduced to the four new modules of the revised fishing document for guidance on training and certification of fishing vessel personnel.

The seminar is being attended fishing vessel training personnel from eleven countries, including Namibia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola and The Gambia.