The Honourable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has launched

the Ministry of Fishery and Marine Resources programme called “Closed Season” on the 1st April 2019 at Sierra Fishing Company, Kissy Dockyard in Freetown. The Closed Season is an initiative designed by the Ministry of Fishery to monitor Sierra Leone Sea for the period of thirty days beginning from the 1st to 30th April, 2019.

In his keynote address, Dr. Jalloh cautioned artisanal fishermen not to export fish to Guinea during the Closed Season, describing any attempts by fishermen to export fish outside Sierra Leone as an act of sabotage.

Similarly, He cautioned market women not to take advantage of the Season by increasing the prices of fish for the public on the notion of insufficient fish in the market, adding that anyone caught in such act will be dealt with accordingly. Vice President Jalloh emphasized “we will not leave any stone untouched, and we are going to provide additional security personnel at outpost to effect the thirty days period.”

The Honourable Vice President thanked the Minister of Fishery for the Closed Season initiative, and stated that the closure is good and important for the country.

He told the gathering that the New Direction Government has decided to diversify the economy by identifying the fishery sector as one key area to generate revenue for the support of Government social programmes such as health, water and infrastructure. Therefore proper management of fishery sector will lead to an increase revenue mobilization, the eloquent Vice President elucidated. The Fishery Ministry he revealed has three main objectives such as: To ensure fish is available and affordable for the public especially for children to eat, mobilize revenue for Government, and to put measures in place for the management of fishing.

Dr. Jalloh implored the Industrial fishing companies, artisanal fishermen and market women to ensure the closure is implemented; he referred to the Season as a Policy of the New Direction. He encouraged the artisanal fishermen to respect the policy, and cooperate with the Marine Ministry for the success of the Closed Season.

Vice President Jalloh disclosed plans by the New Direction Government to provide solar light panels to most of the fishing communities in the country, this he maintained is to make sure that artisanal fishermen transact business in a transparent environment especially after seven O’clock in the evening hours. The supply of the solar light is a demonstration that the New Directions cares for all Sierra Leoneans.

Honourable Mrs. Emma Kowa-Jalloh- Minister of Fishery and Marine Resources expounded that one of the reasons for the Closed Season is to make sure fishes grow within the one month Closed period. She communicated to the audience on the formation of Monitoring Task Force including the media with different roles to monitor the closure, and expressed optimism for 90-95% success of the initiative.

The closure the Fishery Minister explicated is an indication of the New Direction concern for the welfare of Sierra Leoneans by making sure that only local Sierra Leonean artisanal fishermen are allowed to fish in the Sea for the one month. She fostered that disallowing trawlers not to fish for the one month is a great loss of revenue by the Government, but stressed that the welfare and growth of Sierra Leoneans is a priority of the New Direction Government. She encouraged the public to report any illegal fishing during this period.

Honourable Neneh Lebbie of Bo City who doubles as the Parliamentary Committee Chairperson on Fishery called on the public not to politicize the one month period by misinforming the public that there is insufficient fish in the market because of the Closed Period. She appealed to market women not to hoard the fish from fishery companies and keep them for sale at an increase prices.

Bassem Jamil Mohamed of Sierra Fishing Company who spoke on behalf of Industrial Fishing Association commended the Government of Sierra Leone for keeping fishes in order, and upheld that the plan by Government for fishes not to diminish is a welcome idea. He assured the Vice President to make sure that fish is available on the market within the one month. The Closed Season was officially launched by the Honourable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.