Angola: Informal Landing Sites Formalisation Policy Targets 116 Sites

• Angola's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, has called for the urgent formalization of 116 informal marine landing sites.
• These informal sites, representing over half of Angola's 222 landing locations, have caused conflicts and hinder national economic growth.
• New public policies are being developed, in partnership with the FAO, to implement a comprehensive registration process for operators and their activities.
• The formalization aims to convert Angola's marine potential into economic value, improving food quality, skills, incomes, and national competitiveness.
• The blue economy, encompassing diverse marine sectors, is seen as a crucial driver for employment and investment, with KPMG noting its creation of 49 million jobs across Africa.

The comprehensive registration process aims to gather crucial data on individuals, their operational methods, and the origin and type of fish landed, providing a foundational understanding of their economic contribution.

Angola's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, recently emphasized the critical need to formalize the nation's 116 informal marine landing sites. Speaking in Luanda, the Minister highlighted that integrating these sites into the formal economy is essential for fostering national economic growth. The announcement was made during the opening of the 6th edition of the Economy and Market (E&M) Conference.

Minister Neto dos Santos pointed out that the existence of these informal sites has led to conflicts with other legitimate activities along Angola's extensive coastline. Out of a total of 222 landing sites across the country, more than half operate outside formal regulatory frameworks. The government's proactive stance aims to address these challenges and enhance the overall dignity and operational environment for coastal communities involved in fisheries.

In response to the pressing need, public policies are currently under development to formalize the 116 informal landing sites. This Angola informal landing sites formalisation policy is designed to bring structure and oversight to a significant portion of the country's marine activities. A key component of this strategy involves promoting the concept of associations, with various initiatives being pursued in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

This collaborative effort, focusing on FAO Angola fisheries formalisation, seeks to organize individuals through comprehensive registration and social inclusion programs. The registration process is designed to gather essential data, including the identities of operators, their numbers, operational methods, the origin and type of fish landed, and their overall contribution to the economy. Minister Neto dos Santos acknowledged that this extensive formalization process will require considerable time and cannot be achieved instantaneously, underscoring the complexity of Angola marine landing site regulation and Angola coastal community registration.

The Minister articulated a broader vision for Angola, emphasizing the conversion of its vast marine potential into tangible economic value that benefits the nation and improves the lives of its citizens. This value, she explained, should manifest in enhanced food quality for families, robust company activities, improved skills for young people, increased community incomes, and a strengthened national capacity for production, processing, and competition both regionally and internationally.

During the E&M Conference, which focused on the theme "From maritime potential to industrial development - Port and transport infrastructure, processing and new value chains," discussions centered on analyzing Angola's challenges and proposing practical solutions. Minister Neto dos Santos stressed that the Angola blue economy development necessitates an integrated approach to territory, natural resources, and economic activities. She identified key sectors such as fisheries, salt production, ports, maritime transport, shipbuilding and repair, oil and offshore gas industries, coastal tourism, and scientific research as areas that require organized development to fully realize their potential.

Carlos Borges, head of consulting at KPMG Angola, echoed these sentiments, advocating for the creation of value chains through the blue economy to stimulate employment, foster knowledge, and attract investment. He highlighted the importance of placing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) at the core of coordinated infrastructure planning and developing strategic approaches. Borges underscored the significant employment impact of the blue economy, citing that it has generated 49 million direct and indirect jobs across the African continent, illustrating its profound influence beyond just marine resources.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Angola's marine and fisheries sectors should closely monitor the development of new public policies and regulations aimed at formalizing informal landing sites. This initiative will introduce new registration requirements and compliance obligations for coastal businesses and communities, impacting operational legality and economic participation.

Source: Original reporting via Economy and Market (E&M) Conference