Supporting artisanal fishers

Training and equipment made available

MAURITIUS: Some 100 fishers received certificates this week after completing the General Course for Fishers at the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy, in Pointe-aux-Sables.

In a ceremony attended by the Minister and Junior Minister in the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, the fishers also received life jackets as well as fishing hooks and nets to assist them in their fishing activities.

Addressing the fishing community, Minister Boolell lauded them for their courage, dedication and hard work; noting that fishing is a profession that involves significant risk and uncertainties as regards climatic conditions.

He emphasised on the need to empower fishers through proper training and provision of adequate equipment to facilitate their daily operations and encourage them to adopt new and sustainable ways to fishing. Government, he stated, is committed to ensuring that key aspects such as security and training are provided to fishermen thus the remittance of equipment.

The Minister further called on the fishers to be more professional and forward-looking in their adoption of emerging technologies such as FADs and move towards a more sustainable way of operating. With regard to key projects, he indicated the setting up of a fishing port with the financial assistance of the Indian Government.

For his part, Junior Minister David, reiterated Government’s engagement to bring dynamic changes to improve the lives of the fishing community. “It is essential to protect planters, fishermen and breeders as they have an important role in promoting food security and reducing dependence on imported products,” he affirmed.

He also expressed satisfaction with regard to the number of women and youth who have undergone the training and demonstrated their aspiration to enter the fishing sector.

The General Course for Fisher which is foundation programme was held during September, targeting 101 fishers including 14 women. It has been developed to meet the needs of artisanal fishing communities and to enable them acquire knowledge in operating outside the lagoon with Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).