REQUEST TO SEND TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES (TEDs)

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