Cablegate: Request to Send Turtle Excluder Devices (Teds)

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

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

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