Dec 21, 2012 - Patrol vessel Isle of Man makes first arrest in Sierra Leone. The Isle of Man Government has welcomed the news that the fisheries patrol vessel ...
Department of Environment Food and Agriculture Fisheries Directorate
News Release 21st December 2012
Patrol vessel Isle of Man makes first arrest in Sierra Leone The Isle of Man Government has welcomed the news that the fisheries patrol vessel it donated to Sierra Leone in September this year has made its first arrest. Speaking at a press conference held in Freetown earlier this week, the Sierra Leone Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon Dr S Kabia, confirmed that the patrol vessel Isle of Man had detained a vessel suspected of fishing illegally in Sierra Leonean waters. The vessel was picked up during a routine patrol, and was displaying a false identity and call sign. Further investigations are ongoing to ascertain the identity of the vessel in question. Dr Kabia said “Sierra Leone will be consistently tough on illegal operators. They are undermining our country’s economy and development. I have not hesitated to use the full force of the law against them, and the donation of the patrol boat by the people and Government of the Isle of Man has given us a powerful resource to do just that.” Welcoming this news, Phil Gawne MHK, Fisheries Minister and Chair of the Overseas Aid Committee, said “I was absolutely delighted to be contacted by Minister Kabia confirming this news. The ex-Isle of Man customs vessel, which was donated by the Isle of Man Government in September, has already been performing a notable deterrent to illegal poaching. This detention will send a clearer message to those wishing to plunder Sierra Leones fisheries that they days when they could get away with this are numbered.” “I am very pleased to hear that the vessel continues to perform well. Healthy fisheries are the most important source of protein for Sierra Leone’s people, and this donation is clearly having a benefit to the nation as a whole that is worth many times the value of the vessel itself. Recent improvements in fisheries policy and enforcement in Sierra Leone have resulted in over $30 million per annum in increased legally caught fish sales and a large proportion of this increased economic value is as a result of Isle of Man support.” Ends
Notes to editors 1 The Customs vessel Panther, now re-named Isle of Man was donated by the Isle of Man Government in September. Refitting and shipping costs, and subsequent training on the vessel in Freetown, were funded by the World Bank West Africa Regional Fisheries Project. 2. The population of Sierra Leone depend on local fish landings for 80% or more of their annual protein intake. 3. An independent report have estimated the cost to Sierra Leone of illegal fishing as $29m annually. The sector employs over 100,000 people and is estimated to contribute 10% of the country’s GDP. 4. Reports from NGOs working with artisanal fishing communities in Sierra Leone confirm that illegal pirate fishing is considerably reduced since the Isle of Man became involved in assisting with good fisheries governance there, that fish stocks are already recovering, and that a large number of Chinese and Korean operators fishing illegally in the region have tied their vessels up.
Contact information: Phil Gawne MHK, Minister Word Count: 300
Pictures: 1. PV Isle of Man on patrol near Freetown 2. Preparing to board a trawler for inspection 3. Boarding a trawler that is transhipping its catch to a mother ship.
