MOMBASA, Kenya, 7th February, 2023 (WAM) — Indian Ocean states agreed on Monday to temporarily halt the use of industrial fishing gear that is drastically depleting tuna stocks in a win for countries that rely on smaller-scale fishing methods to prop up the livelihoods of communities across coastal regions, Associated Press (AP) reported.
The decision comes after three days of turbulent negotiations at the meeting of the 30-member Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in Mombasa, Kenya.
The new resolution "may finally give room to yellowfin and bigeye populations to rebuild,” said Frédéric Le Manach, the Scientific Director of the French ocean conservation group Bloom.
“The persistence shown by all the proponents proves that unity can bring movement to a better direction for the conservation and management of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean,” Putuh Suadela, the head of the Indonesian delegation, told AP.
Maldivian fisheries expert Hussain Sinan said the new rules introduced by coastal states are “monumental” and will redefine local marine management in the region.