The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources with support from the World Bank and Embassy of Iceland in Sierra Leone has organized a two-day Retreat with the objective of developing a Strategic Vision and Roadmap for the development of the fisheries sector in Sierra Leone.
The programme which was held at the MOZZA Beach Resort, York Village, Peninsular, Western Rural Area District, from 23rd–24th October, 2024, focused on enhancing the productivity and sustainability of fisheries, thereby boosting economic growth and ensuring food security , capacity building and technical support to improve the management and utilization of fisheries resources through the creation of a strategic and actionable document.
In her Keynote Address, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, while welcoming partners to the programme, described the initiative as “fulfilling”.
She said, her ministry considers the initiative as an important reform activity and priority step to facilitate the development of a Strategic Action Plan that can result to an important National Fisheries Project that can be funded by World Bank and Iceland.
This precautionary management approach, she furthered, will lead to the rebuilding of the country’s declining fish stock.She highlighted key areas that need support including capacity building programmes for Community Management Associations, manning Marine Protected Areas, initiatives and infrastructures that promote value addition.
Dilating on the challenges facing the sector, Mrs. Dugba pointed out that experience has shown that illegal fishing practice in the Artisanal Fisheries Sector is more destructive to the country’s Fisheries industry.
In an effort to address this, she intimated that her ministry is implementing seasonal Closure for the Industrial Fisheries Sector in the month of April, every year, adding that, similar measure for the Artisanal Fisheries Sector will be implemented in February, 2025.
Head of Mission, Embassy of Iceland, Asdis Bjarnadottirr, said, the partnership between her county and Sierra Leone, started in 2018 and extended to enhancing livelihoods in fishing communities by increasing access to basic services such as water and sanitation, among others.
She spoke about the invaluable role a well-managed fisheries sector plays in promoting socio-economic development of a country and looked forward to a strategic vision and roadmap that would enable Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector realize its potential.
The Minister, used the occasion to call on development partners both, local and International to compliment her ministry’s efforts in actualizing the sector’s Strategic Vision and Roadmap for a sustainable management and development of the country’s Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Representatives from the World Bank, Lia Sieghart and Marcelo who delivered their statements online, underscored the importance of the programme and thanked the organisers in Sierra Leone for the initiative which they said, would enhance the mobilisation of necessary resources for the development of the fisheries sector.
The Experts also emphasized the need to promote responsible fishing practices, address issues relating to climate change, adaptation and community resilience, while pledging the bank’s continued support.
Acting Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sheku Sei, who also acknowledged the importance of the event, said it came as a result of the current Minister of Fisheries quest for a Strategic Vision and Roadmap that would attract sustainable funding for the development of the sector.
The initiative, he added would also address key management measures including, Quota Management System and Seasonal Closure of the country’s territorial waters, among others to promote government’s ambition and vision for a viable and prosperous sector.
Statements and Presentations of papers on various topics were also made by Fisheries Experts including, Technical Staff from the Ministry of Fisheries, followed by a Case Study by representatives from Iceland, one of the World’s Leaders in Fisheries Management.
The two -day interactive programme, chaired by an Environmental Specialist from the World Bank, Dr. Ralph Bona, addressed a number of critical issues bordering on revenue, generation data collection and stock evaluation, livelihood and sustainability dimensions as well as private sector involvement.
By MFMR Media Unit