Following six inshore patrol vessels launched last year for community surveillance, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources with support from World Bank has on Monday 27^th July 2021 commissioned two additional vessels at the Joint Marine Times Committee (JMT) to intensify monitoring of the country’s territorial waters, and to curb Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

According to the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mrs. Elizabeth H. Ellie, unlike the previous vessels that were bought by the Ministry Fisheries in collaboration with Ministry of Finance, the two vessels that were about to be commissioned were giving to the ministry as support from world bank in the fight against IUU fishing.

In her statements, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Emma Kowa Jalloh explained that the territorial water of Sierra Leone is large and endow with natural resources, therefore people are coming from other countries to extract resource from the waters illegally. She went on saying that, the ministry needed more patrol vessels to protect the country’s water, and thanked the World Bank for it tireless effort towards Fisheries Sector.

She continued that the boats, will be distributed to Kambia and Sulima out stations, as they are stations closer to porous borders of which dwellers largely engage in fish activities. She said the boats will not only be used by Fisheries Officer, but also other player in the Fisheries Sector for the purpose of monitoring the waters. She called on those that will be using the boats to put the country first whiles on board the vessel. She assured the general public that the vessels will be used for it intended purpose.

The chairperson of Parliamentary Committee for Fisheries Hon. Neneh Lebbie expressed her thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for its immense contribution into what she described as bread-basket of this nation.

She went on calling on actors in the fish sector to embrace the idea of patriotism, and make individual difference, by putting the country’s interest first, for the development of the sector. She applied to the representative from the Ministry of Finance to support Ministry of Fisheries get at list four drones to take pictures and check on the activities of industrial and artisanal fisher folks, which according to her is less expensive.

The Director General for Performance Management and Service Delivery Edward Kamara, who was the key note speaker, started his statement by saying that he would be delivering Statement on behalf the Chief Minister. He continued that in the

New Direction manifesto and Medium Term National Development Plan, fisheries as a sub-sector contributes 12 percent to the GDP, employs over 500,000 people, and is the predominant economic activity of the coastal people of Sierra Leone. He added that in a bid to promote Blue Economy and food security, the Government will empower the Artisanal fishermen by proving them appropriate fishing nets to support their fishing operations, as fish remains the primary source of protein for people in the country.

Mr. kamara noted that we gathered that day to commission two inshore patrol vessels provided for the Ministry of Fisheries by World Bank.  He took few steps to the point where one of the ceremonial boats was decorated and placed, and then cut the rope. Himself, ministers and other stakeholders of the occasion went on board the other vessel, and officially tested it operating system.

In the bid to improve on service delivery in the Fisheries sector, the Ministry of Fisheries in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Navy have commenced a week long training program for  coxswain from various coastal communities within  the country ( Sulima , Bonthe , Gbondapee, Shenge, Konakree-Dee,Kambia, Tombo and Goderich) to enhance safety at sea, and the sustainable management of 8 new inshore patrol boats  procured by the government of Sierra Leone to combat illegal fishing activities in the artisanal fisheries sub-sector

The official launch of the training was held at the trades training center of the  Maritime wing ,Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Murray Town, and was graced by the Hon. Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary(PS) from the Ministry of  Fisheries, Commander of the Sierra Leone Navy, Representative from Sierra Leone Marine Administration(SLMA) and key stakeholders in the fisheries sector including the press.

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Ellie as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and as the chairperson for the opening ceremony thanked the Commander in-charge and the Sierra Leone Navy for their support towards the Ministry in the area of surveillance in the bid to prevent Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing(IUU) activities in the territorial waters of Sierra Leone, she however encouraged trainees to be focus during the training as the ministry is highly depending on their professionalism to achieve its priorities in eliminating IUU in the territorial waters of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Kefferson representing SLMA in his statement commended the MFMR for it strides in training local navigators as it is of crucial relevance that trainees pay keen attention to the training as it is a  unique  opportunity for them to be trained and certified, he said that his  attendance to supervise the training process to assure due diligence during the certification process will be done by SLMA.

Commander Juana as the head of the Sierra Leone Navy, in his statement admonished trainees to be responsible and dedicated to the job they have been recruited to perform, and to be cautious in the use of the government properties” the boats procured by the government and the wellness of every Sierra Leonean is a priority”.

Mr. Josephus Mamie as the deputy director of the MFMR  requested that all coxswain to do their best to maintain confidentiality during and after operations as it is very key for their jobs as naval patrol during covert operations. In his conclusion he advises all trainees  to adhere to the advice of the engineers as it would aid the sustenance of the vessels assigned to them.

Giving the keynote address the Deputy Minister of Fisheries (Mr. Ibrahim Turay) thanked participants for honoring the invitation of the ministry prior to the training as it is of great relevance for the ministry to achieve the new directions priority goals. He stated that the Fisheries sector plays a pivotal role in the area of job creation, revenue generation and food security, as result of these highlighted contributions been made by the fisheries sector, the government’s in its commitment to diversify the economy select the fisheries sector as priority for which ministry is receiving huge support from the central government through the Ministry of finance aiding the procurement of 6 inshore patrol boats, and additional two procured by the world to enhance inshore patrols, he also encouraged the trainees towards information management as it is crucial for their operation. He concluded his statement by reiterating the government commitment towards improving the Fisheries sector for the benefit of all Sierra Leonean

Mr. Victor H. Kargbo as the head of Artisanal Unit giving vote of thanks for and on behalf of the Ministry thanked all present and admonished trainees to be professional during their services as the safety of the personnel they will be carrying in of great relevance and an asset to the government.

The event was climaxed by a general photoshoot with trainees to assure confidence in them.

Sierra Leone being a member of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission(SRFC), a body established to enhance coordination among states within the sub Saharan continent on marine and fisheries programs and to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the sub-region.

In the bid to the enhance capacity of staff in the MFMR on surveillance ,Sea and port inspection protocol, the SRFC with support from E.U and PESCAO have concluded a three days intensive training program for fisheries inspection with extension officers in the conference room of the ministry .

The official launch of the training was done through virtually with participants from E.U, SRFC and EFCA.

Giving the keynote address the Hon. Deputy Minister of Fisheries(Mr. Ibrahim Turay) commended the E.U and PESCOA for their the support to SRFC for the sustainable management of the sub- region’s fisheries resource and for selecting Sierra Leone as beneficiary prior to the 2020 capacity building training of fisheries inspection officers, to enhance monitoring, control and surveillance(MCS) operations at sea preventing Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing(IUU) related infractions.

Mrs. Shegella Sarre as the bilingual director from the SRFC secretariat said in her statement on for and on behalf of the commission, said the commission has integrated its mission to harmonize policies and cooperation on maritime fisheries programs for which Monitoring, Control and Surveillance is being branded a top priority on the commissions agenda, she continued that SRFC through it cooperation with donor support member states have established an efficient local system of inspection for both national and foreign fishing vessels and the commission have also installed surveillance equipment to enhance monitoring at sea.

In her conclusion she admonished trainees on behalf of the Commission’s Permanent Secretary (Mr. Malal Sane) to be professional in when dispensing their assigned duties.

Mrs. Kadijatu Jalloh as the Director of Fisheries thanked the team from the SRFC for support the giving to Sierra Leone in the area of surveillance and capacity building which was of crucial relevance to the Ministry in order to promote sustainable fisheries management to attract social gains for both Sierra Leone and the Sub-Region.

over the years Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing in the maritime zone in the sub-region have being a major challenge that have propelled huge economic loss for the sub region.

The three days training was climaxed with a certification ceremony and presentation of Safety inspection gears procured by the SRFC qualifying trainees for effective MCS operations both in Sierra Leone and the sub-region.