The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mrs Princess Dugba, has said in Freetown that her ministry raised the sum of one hundred and sixty-three million new Leones as revenue in 2025.
Giving an update on the activities of her ministry at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication at Miata Conference Hall last Tuesday, Madam Dugba described fish as a “dependable source of animal protein”, adding that prudent management measures and polices have been introduced by her ministry to ensure more revenue is raised for national development, citing, the sum of NLe 150,000,000 raised in 2024.
In a bid to raise more revenue, Mrs Dugba said they have reviewed fees levied on operators and disclosed plans to increase the number of industrial fishing vessels and undertake a number of new activities, including bunkering and transshipment.
On the forthcoming Closed Season initiative, the minister also disclosed plans to cushion the effects of the closure on fishers, including the provision of rice, condiments, and medical service, free of charge.
She also intimated to the press that preliminary work on the Chinese funded Fish Harbour Project is on course, ahead of the ceremony of turning of the sod by HE, the President, Rtd, Brigadier, Julius Maada Bio.
She also used the occasion to appeal to all for cooperation so as to make the fisheries sector a viable entity.
MFMR Media Unit
