The Presidential Address delivered by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on the occasion of the State Opening of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic in the Chamber of Parliament on Tuesday, 18th May 2021 has been described by many Serra Leoneans as uplifting.
In the Address, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio called on Sierra Leoneans to build “a Sierra Leone that works for all of us”.
In the coming days and weeks, we shall be serializing the President’s Address, sector by sector.
Today, we look at what His Excellency the President said about the Fisheries sector.
FISHERIES
My Government has put in place effective fisheries management and governance policies to achieve our sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation goals through a strengthened policy and regulatory framework, scientific fish stock assessments and data collection, and by deterring and minimizing illegal, unreported, and unregulated activities in our territorial waters.
There is now, more than ever before in the history of this country, greater transparency in the fisheries sector. On the website of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, we now publish a registry of vessels with Vessel Monitoring Systems, fisheries management measures, and revenue generated from licensing, fines, and other charges.
My Government has improved infrastructure for fisheries development and access to international markets. I recently commissioned the Sierra Fishing Company’s ultra-modern fish processing facility at Kissy Dock Yard that will enhance fish value addition for domestic and international markets. To further boost fish production through aquaculture, Government has collaborated with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to acquire a fish/poultry feed-making machine.
Under the international belt and road initiative, my Government has received a $55 Million grant from the People’s Republic of China to construct a fish harbour and its ancillary structures. Landowners will be fully compensated and all environmental due diligence will be done. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources will work with all stakeholders for the effective implementation of this project. When fully operational, the fish harbour will support the growth of the fisheries sector.
