Sierra Leone Government Suspends All Fishing Activities With Immediate Effect

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has ordered all fishing companies operating in Sierra Leone to halt all activities relating to fishing over a period of one month.

According to a statement by the ministry, dated 26^th March 2022, from the 1^st April to 30^th April 2022 has been declared a “closed season” for fishing activities within the country.

The release stated that the conversation and management measures are aimed at reducing fishing pressures, rebuilding fish stocks, and preventing overexploitation. It added that the ban was implemented in collaboration with other stakeholders in the fisheries sector which includes the Minister of Trade and Industry, Navy, Tourism, Maine Police, custom, Sierra Leone Industrial Fishing Association, and the Artisanal Fishermen Consortium.

According to the statement, the ban covers all export by land, sea, and air of fish from all operators of fishing vessels, fish processing establishments, Artisanal Fisherman, and the general public during the closed season and that no fishing by Artisanal boats in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

It noted that ll industrial and decked semi-industrial fishing should have reported to the port on or before 31^st March 2022.

The statement urged all fishing companies to stock their cold rooms with all fish species and quantities that are proportionate to the number of fishing vessels which they operated before the start of the above date of the closed season.

It added that fishing companies must ensure that their sales distribute fish evenly and at affordable prices.

According to Politico Newspaper, the ministry said it would work “closely with its key stakeholders to intensify monitoring and surveillance of the country’s territorial waters”, adding that the Artisanal Fishermen consortium will collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to ensure that all fish caught by Artisanal fishermen are sold to the local market.

This is a regular practice by the ministry in order to replenish the harvested fish from the waters.