The fishing sector is one of most lucrative industries in the country, if well managed. This sector has been plagued by illegal investors, illegal fishing and illegal activities, that parade the length and breadth of Sierra Leone’s seas.
The Sierra Leone fisheries resources are estimated to worth over $100 million USD annually and the sector can provide direct employment to about 200,000 people and indirect employment to an estimated 600,000 persons, according to President Bio’s opening speech in Parliament.
According to Unisa Wai, a fisherman in Bonthe, “Most of us who are Sierra Leoneans, that are paying our dues in this country are not enjoying this activity at all. You sometimes see the foreign boats from neighboring countries, without any legal authority, taking out what we are supposed to enjoy.”
He mentioned that foreign boats are affecting their output and also with their sophisticated fishing equipment, they are being overshadowed in terms of catches.
The government has promised to ensure they strengthen policy and regulatory framework for the management of marine resources and promote transparency by publicizing all fisheries management such as the revenues, license fee, vessels committing infraction and fines paid by vessels.
According to Mohamed Lansana, in Bonthe, who had been fishing at Funkia, “Government has tried to stop us from using certain fishing equipment, which we have abided by and they must protect us in return. But all we are seeing is the government giving preference to foreign investors.”
He continued, “There is huge benefit in the sea, which is enough to take care of Sierra Leone, only if the government creates the necessary avenues.”
MJB/21/6/18
By Mohamed J. Bah
Friday June 22, 2018.
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