Question NW4277 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Reply:

South Africa views the Indian Ocean Region as a region of peace, stability, development, and prosperity within which to pursue the goal of promoting economic cooperation for the well-being and development of the countries and peoples of the Indian Ocean Rim.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association’s (IORA) Working Group on the Blue Economy has adopted in its workplan a programme of action for combating, amongst others, Illegal Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the IORA region. The Working Group has also made progress in the assessment of capacity needs for the IORA region including, prioritising the exchange of information on IUU fishing vessels amongst IORA member states. Member states and dialogue partners are currently implementing appropriate measures against IUU vessels and other illegal activities. What is currently significant is the funding mechanism required to undertake military-type exercises and render training for maritime personnel, port managers, maritime inspectors, law enforcement and legal personnel within the IORA region.

The Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Coordinating Country within IORA, which is Sri Lanka, has:

• Established legal frameworks in the Indian Ocean region in the field of Maritime security, working together with India.
• Held an IORA Workshop on Maritime Assistance, Search and Rescue, and Search and Rescue Exercise, working together with Australia.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association is therefore playing an important role in preventing ocean piracy and ocean crimes.