Agriculture and Fisheries Minister discusses the enforcement of a ban on establishing private fish milling factories.

In a significant move to address challenges within the fisheries sector, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries Minister, Major General Salem Al-Saqtari, held a crucial meeting in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen. The discussion, which took place today, involved owners of private fish grinding factories and focused on the implementation of a ministerial decree aimed at halting the establishment of such factories, especially given the sector’s current struggles.

Strengthening Fisheries Management

The meeting, attended by key figures including the Deputy Minister for Fish Production and Marketing Ghazi Lahmar, and heads of the Fisheries Authorities in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Al Mahrah, along with ministry consultants and directors, delved into several issues related to the decree and its anticipated outcomes. Minister Al-Saqtari highlighted Yemen’s vast coastal wealth, home to diverse and unique marine life, which has suffered near-total destruction due to the war, overfishing, unlicensed grinding factories, and natural disasters, leading to a significant drop in fish production unable to meet local market demands.

Encouraging Private Investment and Legal Compliance

Al-Saqtari emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to activating private investment in the fishery sector, viewing it as a crucial partner in both sectoral development and in bolstering the state’s treasury with hard currency. He stressed the importance of adhering to local laws and regulations designed to organize fishing activities and investments in the fisheries sector, ensuring sustainable development and conservation of marine resources.

Securing International Funding for Fisheries Projects

The Minister also pointed out efforts to secure funding from donor countries for fisheries projects, including the rehabilitation of fish landing centers in Hadramout and Al Mahrah provinces, and the redevelopment of the fishing port in temporary capital Aden, funded by the German government, among other agricultural projects. These initiatives aim not only to revive the fisheries sector but also to enhance its contribution to the national economy.

This meeting marks a pivotal step towards resolving the pressing issues facing Yemen’s fisheries sector, ensuring its sustainability, and promoting responsible investment and management practices within the industry.

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