The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara, says two economies now operate as she learns from the World Bank.
“The World Bank has divided the economy into two as a sustainable means of crouch resources, of economic growth of improved livelihood, ecosystem and health and the blue economy included all resources and rules of service at quantum,” she said.
She said blue economy can only be achieved through the mainstreaming of the maritime new policies.
“ It will enable us increase our opportunities in Sierra Leone as a major source of financial support,” she noted.
She called on SLMA, Sierra Leone Port Authority, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transport and Aviation and many more to work in collaboration with Maritime.
She said the mainstreaming collaboration will help them in terms of promoting goods and services in the country.
She added that such will include biodiversity tourism, fisheries and harboring culture, postal manufacturing, seabird mining, energy, old and gass production, medicine port and shipping etc.
All these activities, she said, would help them deliver their agenda on the fishing and herbal culture production and that might contribute towards food and nutritional security.
Isata Abdulai said our oceans had abundant fisheries resources.
Of this she said the country has over 450,000 metric tons of fish but 250,000 catch of metric tons is made every year.
The fish are caught in a sustainable manner in the seas, she said.
Madam Isata Abdulai said Ministry Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR ) generates over NLe 100 million every year.
But in 2023, she went on, it generated NLe 111 million.
She said with the right initiative fishing and harper culture would boost employment for over 2 million young people in Sierra Leone.
Climate change and the cutting of the mangoes trees will suppress the fish to give birth, MFMR says.
Officials at MFMR said they are going to implement closing sessions for one month where fishing trawlers will not be allowed to fish.
The representative from the media Robert Kargbo presents a paper on the role of the media in promoting awareness of the Blue Economy (BE) to key pace with Africa Agenda 2063.
“Let me extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, organizers of this seminar for effective collaboration with key stakeholders including the media on grappling with the challenges of mainstreaming of maritime domain and Blue Economy activities and projects,” he spoke.
Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) was established by an Act of Parliament in the year 2000.
It is responsible to register ships and other vessels, and the responsibility of licensing and ensuring safety of maritime personnel.
It is charged to regulate and develop maritime’s coastal and inland water transport.
“Giving the increasing importance of the Blue Economy and Maritime issues, especially during this time when the world is facing serious threats from climate change; it is significant to know how the Blue Economy or perhaps the Maritime and seas operations are being reported.
“Therefore, as a result of the potential implications of maritime activities in Sierra Leone, it is imperative for us to know how crucial the media is in the Blue Economy and how the media can mainstream maritime issues so that the public will understand them,” Mr Robert Kargbo said.