The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Hon. Haja Afsatu Kabba has within a period of three months been able to retrieve some of the bad fishing nets used by artisanal fishermen in the country. A move that former Ministers failed to achieve.
Over the past months, the Minister, her Director, Permanent Secretary and other top officials of her ministry, met with fishermen from different parts of the country to tell them about the complications of using bad fishing methods and bad fishing nets.
On Thursday, the Minister and officials of her ministry, Journalists and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of crime services Francis Munu visited the Maritime Wing of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) in Murray Town and also witnessed the sale of the good fishing nets imported by the government of Sierra Leone at Kissy Dock Yard in Freetown.
At the Maritime Wing she released eight outboard machines that were seized from fishermen who were engaged in illegal fishing and using the bad nets.
At a round table meeting with members of the Naval Wing in Murray Town, Haja Afsatu Kabba said that her sector is a growth sector that generates revenue and creates employment for people.
She stated that her Ministry is the backbone of the economy, with a potential to boost the development of the country.
The Minister observed that President Koroma made no mistake in choosing her as Minister of MFMR as she had proved herself and will continue to do her best.
Hon Haja Afsatu Kabba reiterated that due to the irresponsible way of fishermen, a ban was levied on some fishing sites, but because some of the fishermen are in compliance with the 1994 Fisheries Management and Development Act the ban was lifted and a 50% price reduction was levied on the sale of fishing nets by President Koroma during a cabinet meeting.
The reduction she said was for fishermen to have access to these nets and for Sierra Leone to have access to the European market with their fish.
The Minister pointed out that her ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States of America (USA) to control illicit fishing in the country.
Hon Haja Afsatu Kabba stressed that after they have finished with the artisanal fishermen, they will move on to the Trawlers and the Industrial sectors to retrieve all the bad nets from them.
The Director of Fisheries, Alhaji Mohamed Fouad Sheriff said that fishermen are complying with the Ministry to put away their bad fishing methods and bad fishing nets.
He stated that the Maritime Wing is the hub for fishing surveillance in the country.
Alhaji Fouad Sheriff observed that due to the work of the Navy, fishermen in Tombo were the first to surrender their bad nets.
Director of Operations of the Maritime Wing Commander Salieu Kanu highlighted the roles of the naval wing.
He said that they have recognized the efforts of the Minister to combat all these bad fishing nets and illegal fishing adding that they are committed and ready to work with her.
AIG Francis Munu said that apart from the work of the Police to save lives and properties, “we also support government Ministries, Agencies and Departments.
He stated that what is lacking in the country is the enforcement and compliance of laws.
AIG Munu pledged his institution’s continuous support to ensure that she fulfils her objectives.
N’mah Kargbo who received her outboard machine assured the Minister and her team that they will stop doing the wrong thing and report cases of illegal fishing to the Ministry.
At the Kissy Dock Yard, Project Manager of AFEDPE, Alpha Bangura gave an update on the activities on the sale of the nets.
The Minister expressed satisfaction on the turnout of fishermen to buy the nets.
Before visiting Kissy Dock Yard, her team also made a stop at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where some of the nets retrieved are kept for a symbolic burning ceremony.
Similar tour will be made to other major fishing sites in the country.
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