Fishing communities, CSOs call for halt to reported offshore gold licenses

Fishing associations, coastal communities and civil society organisations working on fisheries, coastal livelihoods, environmental protection, natural-resource governance and human rights, have called on the government to halt further progression of a reported offshore gold exploration project and undertake a comprehensive review of the licenses.

They also called for commercial offshore gold extraction or substantial seabed disturbance not to proceed unless independent evidence demonstrated that such activities could be undertaken without unacceptable harm to marine ecosystems, fisheries, food security and coastal livelihoods.

They said the assessment should establish baselines on fishing grounds, fishing seasons, catches and fishing effort, fish spawning and nursery areas, seabed and benthic habitats, sediment movement, water quality, marine biodiversity, navigation and the livelihoods of fishing communities, processors, traders and other coastal businesses.