Luanda: Navy Commander Admiral Valentim Ant³nio announced on Wednesday in Luanda that measures to combat illegal fishing in oil exploration areas and strengthen maritime security will come into force on June 1. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the fishing sector and local authorities, the commander said the enforcement will be intensified in risk areas, on vessels detected in prohibited areas, especially in the vicinity of oil platforms.

According to Angola Press News Agency, these measures will target immediate action against vessels violating the regulations, as the commander emphasized the critical nature of uninterrupted oil extraction due to its financial significance. "We cannot allow oil extraction to be interrupted for even a day, since it represents millions in losses, maritime security is a matter of state," he stated.

Valentim Ant³nio highlighted the importance of collaboration between institutions, stressing the necessity for immediate information sharing between oil operators, security forces, and enforcement agencies to enable a swift response to any maritime intrusion. He warned that the lack of coordinated action between authorities poses a risk to human lives, the integrity of oil infrastructure, and the national economy.

The director-general of fisheries inspection services at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MINPERMAR), Ant³nio Jaime, pointed out the excessive number of vessels in Angolan waters, with approximately 8,000 boats operating in the artisanal segment. This situation, according to Ant³nio Jaime, increases pressure on the marine environment.

Ant³nio Jaime advocated for improved communication mechanisms with public entities to establish limits on the number of vessels licensed annually. He assured that the Navy's position aligns with available resources, underscoring that the stakes involve both sustainability and maritime safety.

He admitted that there is still some inability to go to sea, however within the next few days, a vessel will be received that will serve, together with the Navy and the Fiscal Police, to crack down on vessels that still fish illegally and jeopardize the sustainability of the sea.