The 2024-25 closed season on fishing for surface shrimp and mangrove crab starts tomorrow, 15 November, and for octopus on January 1, 2025.
According to the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), the ban on industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal fishing shrimp fishing covers the Sofala Bank, as well as Maputo Bay and the mouth of the Limpopo River for semi-industrial and artisanal fishing, and Govuro district in Inhambane province, for artisanal fishing.
Regarding mangrove crab fishing, the ban will be in force along the entire Mozambican coast and, for octopus, in the areas of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Inhambane.
The period of the ban is characterised by monitoring of offenders, seizure of illegally caught fish and harmful fishing gear, as well as awareness-raising actions among fishermen and society in general to ensure strict compliance with the ban, taking into account the benefits of fisheries management for subsequent fishing seasons.
The fishing regulations state that the established ban does not affect marine scientific research and investigation activities, which, under the terms of the ban, may continue as normal, its results perhaps influencing the ban periods now established.
This measure is implemented by the government through the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries in order to maintain, recover and guarantee sustainable exploitation of fishery resources.
