US embassy cable - 04MAPUTO689

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000689 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR OES/OMC - JSTORY 
USDOC FOR AHILIGAS 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIS, SENV, ETRD, MZ 
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO SEND TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES (TEDs) 
TRAINING TEAM TO VISIT MOZAMBIQUE 
 
1. This is an Action Request for the OES Bureau - See 
paragraph 6. 
 
2. SUMMARY. The GRM requests that the USG send a TEDs 
Training Team to Mozambique August 2-6 to train local 
fishermen and government officials to build, use, and 
monitor TEDs. This request is generated from recent 
legislation that requires all industrial and semi-industrial 
shrimping fleets to be equipped and using TEDs by January 
2005. END SUMMARY. 
 
3. On April 28, the GRM, through the Ministry of Fisheries, 
sent a request for assistance to the OES Bureau, Office of 
Marine Conservation (OMC), proposing that a Turtle Excluder 
Devices (TEDs) Training Team visit Maputo on August 2-6. The 
Ministry would like to have the TEDs Training Team train 
local artisans and fishermen to build, use, and inspect 
TEDs, in light of the recent Mozambican legislation 
requiring all industrial and semi-industrial shrimping 
fleets to install and use TEDs by early 2005. 
 
4. The Ministry of Fisheries has recently worked towards 
changing domestic fishing regulations to make the 
utilization of TEDs mandatory for Mozambican shrimping 
fleets. This regulation will be in effect as of January 
2005. In this endeavour, the Ministry has worked closely 
with the US Embassy and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 
Mozambique's utilization of TEDs results not only in 
conservation benefits for endangered sea turtles, it also 
allows Mozambique the possibility of becoming certified to 
export industrially caught shrimp to the US. This two-fold 
benefit will champion the US priority of protecting the 
environment and strengthen commercial ties between 
Mozambique and the US. The Ministry is advocating that the 
team provide Mozambican industrial shrimping fleets and 
officials in the Ministry of Fisheries with the technical 
knowledge to build, use, and inspect TEDs. This US 
Department of State-led Team may include gear experts and 
biologists from the National Marine Fisheries Service. The 
Ministry has indicated that it will provide a space for the 
training and will send invitations to boat owners, boat 
captains, net-makers, and officials who will be responsible 
for inspecting TEDs. The Ministry has requested the training 
take place in Maputo and Beira, where most shrimping 
operators are located. 
 
5. The Mission highly supports the GRM request to send a USG 
team to Mozambique to extend technical knowledge and 
training to involved fisheries industry and governmental 
personnel. The GRM has taken the first step to amend 
official regulations to include the use of TEDs in shrimping 
operations. The USG, in partnership with the GRM and WWF, 
has the opportunity to take the next step by providing 
Mozambicans with the capacity to implement new regulations. 
WWF has agreed to work with the Mission in beginning an 
informational campaign about the purpose and utilization of 
TEDs prior to the arrival of the TEDs Training Team. 
 
6. ACTION REQUEST: Mission requests OES confirmation of a 
TEDs Training Team visit to Mozambique during the 2-6 August 
period. 
LA LIME