The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, in collaboration with the West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme (WARFP), on Saturday 10th March 2012, trained Fish Mongers in the Western Area and Moyamba District on government’s new requirements for the registration os all canoes. The one day intensive training, which was held in Tombo, Western Rural District, also saw the conduct of a needs assessment survey of the fish mongers in that part of the country by WARFP.

According to WARFP’s Focal Person on Governance, Mr. Sheku Sei, the objectives of the training is to get fishermen and women to understand steps in the registration process of canoes. He said the training will also be used to teach them methods of record taking and maintenance of canoes. Mr. Sei used the forum to encourage canoe owner to be law abiding and make use of the opportunity to register their canoes. He said the essence of the registration process is for Government to have authentic records of the number of canoes operating in the country’s territorial waters. He added that this will also help canoe owner, fishermen and women, benefit from Government facilities for fishermen and women.

Cross section of Made In Sierra Leone cooperative youths now trained in Ink/Toner refilling

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr. Soccoh Kabia, revealed that his ministry has brought in large quantity of quality fishing nets, which, according to him, will be sold to fish mongers on cost recovery prices to replace the already existing nets in their possession. He reechoed that it is but necessary for the ministry to have accurate records on the number of canoes operating in the country. He maintained that with such records in existence, Government would be able to address problems and challenges faced by fish mongers in Sierra Leone. The minister referred to the fishing industry in Sierra Leone as being one very key sector towards the country’s development, adding that, his ministry will not sit back and watch such an important sector being destroyed by some selfish people.  However, Minister Kabia used the forum to advise boat owner and fishermen to desist from the use of bad nets to fish, whilst he entreated them to register their canoes.

National Coordinator of WARFP-SL, Dr. Salieu Sankoh, revealed that his office is providing the necessary funds and support to ensure that all canoes operating in Sierra Leone are registered. He informed the mongers that the registration process is free, whilst further encouraging them to cooperate with the process.