Training for Prosecutors on Crimes in the Fisheries Sector in South Africa

Participants during the opening of the training

18 to 20 November 2024, Cape Town South Africa - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and with support from the Government of Norway, hosted a two-and-a-half-day training workshop in Cape Town from 18 to 20 November 2024. This event aimed to enhance the capacity of prosecutors to effectively address crimes in the fisheries sector. The need for this workshop was identified during a value chain analysis of the fisheries sector, conducted by UNODC in early 2024.

Sixteen prosecutors, including senior state advocates from various provinces, attended the workshop. These prosecutors play a critical role in tackling the multifaceted nature of crimes in the fisheries sector. The workshop included interactive exercises based on case scenarios and presentations by UNODC and key South African institutions. These presentations highlighted their respective roles in addressing fisheries-related crimes and the support available for prosecutors handling these cases.

In her opening remarks, Advocate Rangaka, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at the NPA, emphasized the broader impact of these crimes:

"These crimes not only affect people from coastal areas; they are interdependent and transnational in nature. Crimes in the fisheries sector involve money laundering and corruption, impacting not just South Africa’s economy but the global economy. It is crucial for prosecutors to effectively prosecute these cases. Thank you for consistently empowering our prosecutors with rare skills that are often undermined and underrated, even though they are highly valuable."

Sue Middleton, Deputy Director-General of the Fisheries Management Department within the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, also delivered opening remarks. She highlighted critical issues in the fisheries sector, drawing on insights from a multi-stakeholder workshop organized by UNODC and the Fisheries Department in February 2024: "The Fisheries Department is concerned that fisheries-related crimes are not receiving the attention they deserve. These crimes often involve other offenses such as money laundering and human trafficking. Prosecutors’ support is essential to effectively combat these issues in South Africa."

Feedback from the workshop indicated that participants gained a deeper understanding of the tools, strategies, and collaborations necessary to effectively address crimes within the fisheries sector. The workshop also served as a valuable networking platform, allowing prosecutors from various provinces to interact, exchange information, and share best practices crucial for dismantling criminal syndicates in South Africa's fisheries sector. One prosecutor remarked: "This training has been invaluable, especially in addressing sentencing. I now better understand the consequences poaching and illegal fishing have on the environment. When I return to court, I will not only focus on sentencing but also emphasize the environmental impact."

Participants appreciated the well-structured format of the training and the use of practical scenarios, which they found highly effective. Following the training, prosecutors indicated they would expand charges against offenders to include related crimes such as tax evasion, fraud, and corruption, moving beyond solely addressing illegal fishing. Participants also expressed interest in an advanced course on the subject.

Participants during presentations

This workshop is part of the Norway-funded FishNET II project, which aims to strengthen SADC Member States' capacities to address crimes in the fisheries sector. By focusing on practical case scenarios and interagency collaboration, the workshop marks a significant step toward building a more robust response to organized crimes in the fisheries sector and safeguarding the sector’s future.

Participants during case study group discussions

United Nations

UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa

Training for Prosecutors on Crimes in the Fisheries Sector in South Africa