Fishermen, Fishmongers and other stakeholders in coastal communities across the country were in a state of high excitement when staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine and other partners including Civil society representatives, stormed their respective localities and distributed large consignments of rice and packages of assorted condiments among deserving fishers during the one month- long Closed Season.
The gesture, which included free medical treatment, was in fulfillment of promises made by the Minister and team to cushion the effects of challenges fishers face during the season.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the distribution programme in Tombo, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba underscored the rationale behind the initiative, chief among them, she noted was to protect and Marine biodiversity from dwindling.
She used the occasion to appeal to fishers to renounce bad fishing methods and entreated them to abide by rules and regulations governing the sector. “The closed season is not a punishment for stakeholders in industry but a collective responsibility to safeguard future generations and an opportunity for government to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries.” the Minister assured
Acting Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sheku Sei, described the period as “a necessary pause in economic activity,” citing last year’s impressive catches recorded by fishing communities as a result of the measure.
Mr. Sei emphasized the importance of compliance and the need to jointly enforce laws governing the sector, adding that come 1st of March 2026, the Ministry will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the industry is streamlined and defaulters brought to book.
Beneficiaries from various coastal communities who gathered in designated centres including Goderich, Tombo, Lungi, Mambolo, Shenge, Bonthe, Gbondapi and Jurring in the West, North and Southern regions of the country, who supported the measure, showered praises on government and partners in the fisheries sector for the initiative and appealed for measures that would address challenges facing the industry.
According to them, the exercise was indeed a resounding success .
“For us, it is indeed a moment of appreciation and joy especially at this point in time when the exercise coincides with the holy month of Ramadan,” a fisherman from Ndaema, Bonthe Island, Chief Alusine King, remarked.
Groups of Women in Fisheries across the regions who were visibly overwhelmed and moved by the windfall also extended thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Fisheries for the gesture.
This year marks the second phase of the exercise for artisanal fisheries with renewed commitment on the part of the Ministry and partners to continue to work with fishing communities to ensure sustainable fisheries management and economic development.
By MFMR Media Unit
