Cape Verde & Japan Partner to Industrialize Fishing Sector
Cape Verde is looking to transform its traditional fishing sector into an industrial powerhouse through a deeper strategic partnership with Japan. The archipelago’s Minister of the Sea, Jorge Santos, announced the ambitious vision on Thursday during a handover ceremony for significant Japanese equipment donations.
Beyond Fishing Licenses: A New Industrial Strategy
While Japanese vessels already operate in Cape Verdean waters, Minister Santos emphasized that the future of the relationship must move beyond simple access agreements. “We want to have Japan as a partner for the industrialization of fishing in Cape Verde,” Santos stated on the island of São Vicente.
The goal is to foster direct collaboration between entrepreneurs from both nations. The Minister highlighted that the path to modernization involves leveraging Japan’s advanced science, technology, and market scale. “It is a sector where equipment, science, knowledge, and market scale already exist,” he noted, suggesting that Cape Verde is ready to serve as a hub for industrial-scale operations.
Currently, a bilateral agreement allows Japanese vessels to operate starting 18 miles off the coast. As of 2024, 35 Japanese ships are utilizing 42 fishing licenses in the region. However, Santos indicated that Cape Verde is eager to expand this cooperation into the broader “blue economy,” including tourism and high-tech business opportunities.
Immediate Support for Local Communities
The vision for the future comes alongside immediate material support for the country’s artisanal fishers. Japanese Ambassador Izawa Osamu officially delivered more than €2 million ($2.1 million) worth of vital equipment intended for associations on the islands of São Nicolau, Brava, and Santo Antão.
The donation package includes:
- 100 outboard motors for local fishing boats
- Three industrial ice-making machines
- 50 thermal boxes for fish preservation
- Two refrigerated trucks to maintain the cold chain during transport
- Two seven-meter specialized vessels
Strengthening Food Security
The partnership between the two nations continues to expand across multiple fronts. Following the equipment handover, Cape Verde and Japan are scheduled to sign an additional agreement on Friday. This new deal, valued at approximately €913,000, is specifically earmarked for food assistance to support the archipelago’s nutritional needs and food security programs.
Image: Pexels – Mike van Schoonderwalt
