Enforcement Strategy to Combat Fishing Offences
The Maritime Enforcement Section (MES) is intensifying efforts to combat fishing offences in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. A key aspect of this strategy is effective information gathering and sharing.
Collaboration and Confidentiality
In the past, stakeholders such as the public, the fishing industry, NGOs, and other relevant parties have provided vital information to help the MES manage fisheries effectively. This collaboration will continue to be crucial in ensuring compliance with regulations.
To maintain confidentiality, any information passed to the MES or Police Directorate will be processed with utmost care. Reports of offences can be made by calling the Marine Crime Hotline on 64642.
Enforcement Activities
The MES will conduct regular enforcement activities throughout the year, responding to seasonal fluctuations in certain fishing activities. The following figure illustrates the periods when key enforcement risks will be managed:
Figure 2: Enforcement Risk Register
| Month | Enforcement Level |
|---|---|
| January-February | White (Reactive) |
| March-May | Yellow (Sporadic Proactive Inspections) |
| June-July | Red (Heightened Enforcement Checks and Targeted Operations) |
| August-November | White (Reactive) |
Compliance Monitoring
Monitoring compliance is essential to determine levels of adherence, patterns or trends in stakeholder behavior, and to identify necessary awareness/education campaigns. The enforcement risk register will be kept up-to-date to effectively distribute limited resources.
Enforcement Options
The MES uses a range of compliance and enforcement options in response to each offence, from education and warnings to suspension of licenses and criminal prosecution. Each incident of non-compliance is assessed individually, with sanctions tailored to the seriousness of the offence.
Factors Considered for Sanctions
When deciding on an appropriate sanction, the MES considers:
- Evidence of the offence
- The law
- Ecological impact
- Economic impact
- Previous offences by the offender
- Previous enforcement responses to similar offences
- Any mitigating circumstances
Enforcement Response Options
The MES has several enforcement options available to promote compliance and discourage offences, including:
Warning Letters
Warning letters will be used in response to minor offences or when an offence is detected due to a lack of understanding of regulations outside of an educational period. Records of warning letters will be kept for one year, with further offences committed within that timeframe resulting in more serious sanctions.
By working together, we can ensure the long-term sustainability of our fishing industries and protect the marine environment.