Artisanal fishermen under the auspices of FishNet Alliance have expressed concerns over the adverse impact of extractive industry on their traditional vocation.

FishNet Alliance, a network of fisherfolks across the coast of Africa, expressed their concerns at the just concluded General Assembly and Conference at Durban in South Africa. A communique from the conference issued by Miss Kome Odhomor, Oilwatch Africa Communications Officer stated that the theme was: “Ocean, Extractivism and Renewable Energy”.

The gathering was attended by members of the Alliance from South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Nigeria, Mozambique.

Also in attendance were new members from Uganda, South Sudan and Cameroon as well as Oilwatch Africa and Oilwatch International members and allies from 20 countries.

According to the communique availed to newsmen on Thursday in Yenagoa, the FishNet observed that the rights of artisanal fishers continue to be violated by extractive projects.

According to the FishNet Alliance, these rights violations are fueled by the extractivism and colonialism practices by the operating International Oil Companies.

The alliance noted that offshore extraction activities, oil and gas infrastructure installations are dangerous and destructive of the livelihoods of coastal communities.

“The systemic and subtle extension of the extractivists’ colonial roots through the introduction of concepts like the Blue Economy are going to worsen the situation of fisher folks who are already paying the price for grabbing of our resources.

“Our sea and other water bodies are also under constant attack, and we note the new dynamics brought by the push for renewable offshore energy.

“Industrial fishers are laxly regulated and act with impunity, while artisanal fishers are intimidated and repressed by both the state and these commercial fish merchants,” The communique reads in part.

According to FishNet, the industrial fishers are responsible for overcapacity, illegal, reported and unregulated fishing and not the artisanal fishers who fish with poles, hooks and specific net sizes.

They lamented that coastal and fishing communities are being washed away as a result of coastal erosion and sea encroachment engendered by the climate change.

According to FishNet, the fishing communities are fast turning into refugees in their own countries as their territories are being washed away.

The alliance frowned at the emerging issues of green hydrogen as it extends the same colonial logic of extractivism.

It explained that the move is to satisfy the insatiable hunger of capitalism and only minimise the drive for a true people’s just transition.

The group maintained that the mangrove forests play a big role in preserving the natural biodiversity and fisheries and building local economies.

“FishNet Alliance stands in solidarity with its members and other fishers’ communities in the struggle and declare the following:

“Our ocean, communities and our sociocultural wellbeing are not for sale

“Artisanal fishers must be recognized, consulted, supported and protected and must be adequately represented in ocean and maritime policy discourse.

“We denounce and reject any form of grabbing of our waters for the production of so-called green hydrogen

“All deltas and protected areas in Africa must be declared no-mining, no-exploitation zones,” FishNet stated.

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