A group of 104 fishermen received, this afternoon, their artisanal fisher registration cards as well as certificates for having successfully completed the General Course for Fisher. In that context, a ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, at the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy, in Pointe-aux-Sables.
The Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint, the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, the Chief Government Whip, Ms Naveena Ramyad, and other personalities were present.
The General Course for Fisher is a foundation programme offered over a period of eight days. It has been designed and developed to meet the needs of artisanal fishermen and to enable them acquire knowledge in operating outside the lagoon around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).
In his address during the ceremony, Minister Seeruttun highlighted that the line of work of fishermen is praiseworthy as they put their lives at risk and work in perilous situations to earn a living. He saluted the courage, sacrifice and hard work of fishermen.
Speaking about the training, the Minister remarked that it aims at providing fishermen with the appropriate knowledge, skills and aptitude to fish responsibly, efficiently and safely around FADs. He also dwelt on the daily bad weather allowance provided to fishermen which has been increased in Budget 2022/23 from Rs 475 to Rs 575. For him, this is evidence of Government’s commitment to support the fishermen community.
Minister Toussaint, for his part, spoke of the riches of the sea and encouraged the youth to join in sea activities as well as discover the potential of the oceans and protect the marine biodiversity of the country. The youth can contribute significantly to the blue economy and the fisheries sectors, he added.
As for Minister Maudhoo, he indicated that Government will continue to strive for the welfare of the fishermen community and is accelerating efforts to ensure that more fishermen receive their registration cards. Priority for the acquisition of these cards is being given to applicants who have been on the waiting list for many years, he said. Some 1,270 cards will be allocated by the end of this year, he highlighted.
Government, he emphasised, is also offering a lump sum of Rs 52,500 to retired fishermen in a bid to ease their financial situation and improve their livelihoods. Budget 2022/23, he underlined, has introduced several measures to ease the lives of fishermen. These include provision of an additional 2,000 handheld VHF radios; allocation of Rs 5,000 per fisher for the purchase of materials to assemble fish traps; offering an additional 500 fishermen cards; and financial assistance for the purchase of hooks.
Minister Maudhoo moreover encouraged the youth and women to join the fisheries sector given its great potential and which will contribute to the economy as well as reduce dependency on importation of seafood products.
Also present at the event, the Secretary of the Fishermen Welfare Fund (FWF), Mr T. Boodia, underlined that the newly registered fishermen can henceforth benefit from the various schemes offered by the FWD. These are: scholarships for fisher’s children; allowance of Rs 5,000 to repair damaged boats; financial support to fisher’s families in distress; and funeral and maternity grants, amongst others.
