Fishing fraternity celebrates World Fisheries Day |20 November 2017
Representatives from different fishery organisations across Africa gathered yesterday in a groundbreaking ceremony for a three-day plenary and working group meeting to highlight current issues the sector is facing and to enhance the knowledge of men and women in small-scale fisheries and their role in resource management, food security and danger and threats to the ocean.
The gathering, held at the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) at Providence, was in commemoration of World Fisheries Day which is being celebrated in Seychelles for the first time, under the theme ‘The Implementation of the national and regional policies in favour of sustainable artisanal fisheries in Africa’.
Delegates are from our local Fishermen and Boat Owners Association (FBOA); the African Confederation of Professional Organisations for Artisanal Fishing (CAOPA); the Federation of Artisanal Fishermen of the Indian Ocean (FPAOI); in collaboration with SMA and the Seychelles Professional Fishing Organisations (SPFO).
Apart from Seychelles, countries present were Mauritius, Morocco, the Comoros including Grande Comores, Anjouan and Moreli, Republic of Guinea, Togo, Uganda, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Mali, Liberia, the Gambia, Cameroon, Benin and Reunion island.
Present were the Seychelles Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture Pamela Charlette; FBOA chairman Keith Andre and the president of CAOPA, Gaoussou Gueye.
Main topics on the agenda are the blue growth and artisanal fishing; access rights to resources for artisanal fishermen; need for holistic approach to policy reform affecting coastal communities and changing the practices and mentalities.
The objective is to formulate relevant proposals to improve the organisational and functional framework of professional organisations and to strengthen their involvement in the definition and implementation of projects and programmes impacting the artisanal fishing sector.
“As we stand on the verge of a major turning point in the global approach to fisheries and as the world recognises the need for participatory approach in fisheries resource management, your very presence and participation in this three-day workshop is testimony that fisheries help to highlight the bonds of solidarity that have been established between the various artisanal fishermen organisations throughout the world. Artisanal fisheries is a very important component of our existence, our culture and our livelihood,” said Minister Charlette when addressing the delegates.
She added in Seychelles fishery is the second pillar of our economy and something very close to our hearts. She said at the 32nd FAO committee on fisheries last year, they expressed concern about the state of fish stock globally noting that the proportion of over-fished stock had increased and that two-third of the world fishery has been overfished.
“As associations of fishers in your respective countries and communities, you have an imperative role to play in ensuring that fisheries resources are harvested sustainably,” said the minister, adding we all have the responsibility to ensure its legacy.
She advised that we need to join forces and re-think how we exploit our oceanic resources and at all cost to factor in all the equations such as food security, nutrition, social cohesion, sustainability, stability and development, cultural values, income and employment generation and livelihoods in all aspects of our fisheries.
Mr Andre welcomed the delegates and expressed his hope for fruitful deliberations while Mr Gueye described his presence in the Seychelles on such a day for such deliberations as a honour.
He mentioned the various activities CAOPA is involved in and said the topics on the agenda are extremely important for their respective countries.
Other national sectors that are related to the fishery sector like the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (Seycatt), the Blue economy department in the Vice-President’s Office were also there. More members of the delegation are yet to arrive.