Ivorians warn of Chinese fishing threat: union

Yahoo News 12 Dec 07;

Ivorian fishing groups warned Wednesday of the threat to acquatic flora and fauna in their national waters from "exploitation and abusive practices" by Chinese fishing fleets.

"Foreign boats, notably Chinese, are in the process of jeopardising the future of fishing in Ivory Coast," Ivory Coast Marine Fishermen Union (SYMAPECI) Secretary General Barthelemy Kouassi Yao told AFP.

"Today, in total disregard of national and international law, they use 'bottom trawling' which is dangerous and captures everything in its wake," Kouassi said, calling this an "alarming situation."

"We have observed a drastic decline in the local production because nothing is done to stop this pre-planned pillage. And we are far from the turning point of stopping the fall in production, unfortunately," he added, saying that part of the problem was due to the "complacency" of Ivorian authorities.

Since 2004, "nearly 40 Chinese ships operate in Ivorian territorial waters, some of which hold questionable agreements," he said. The Chinese presence symbolises a menace "for 4,000 jobs in the sector."

"In terms of the number of boats that sail here...if you let things be, in a few months all sea life will be gone from the waters of the Ivory Coast," Ivorian ship owner Richard Tchibanda said.

He said at least 20 years are needed for certain species to be able to replenish fish stocks.

On July 27, 22 African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, including Ivory Coast, spoke out against the "pillaging of more than 50 percent" of their fish resources by fishing boats without authorisation and which threatens the food security for the population.

"More than 50 percent of our fish resources are pillaged every year," said Ivorian Animal Production Minister Alphonse Douati, also head of the Ministerial Conference on Fishing Cooperation between the 22 African countries bordering the Atlantic (COMHAFAT).