A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture between the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping and the Federal Agency for Fishery of the Russian Federation was signed in Port Louis through video conferencing in the Minister Alan Ganoo.
The signatories were the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, and the Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery of the Russian Federation, Mr Ilya Shestakov.
The MoU will allow mutual cooperation for the conservation, management and rational use of living marine resources as well as assist in prevention, warning and elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
In a statement, Minister Ganoo spoke of the longstanding bilateral relationship and cooperation between Mauritius and Russia, adding that the MOU is yet another step towards strengthening the existing friendly ties. The MoU will foster cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture between the two countries, he said.
He recalled that Mauritius and Russia signed MoU on export of fish, fishery and aquaculture products to Russia in 2011 and added that negotiations are ongoing for Mauritius to export frozen fish and other types of fish to Russia. Mauritius, he said, looks forward to deepen its engagement with Russia through both existing mechanisms and innovative ways of cooperation.
He also extended gratitude to the Russian Government for signing an agreement to provide around a million doses of Sputnik V vaccines.
For his part, Minister Maudhoo stated that the MoU is an essential tool to cooperate and assist each other in the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector of both countries.
The fisheries sector, he highlighted, represents one of the most important pillars of the Mauritian economy as it generates employment, is a source of foreign income and ensures food security. Moreover, it contributes to about 1.5 % of the country’s GDP and employs some 20,000 people, he said.
Exploitation of marine resources requires expertise, technology, funding and international collaboration and the assistance of the Russian Federation is very important to Mauritius to develop the fishing industry, indicated the Minister.
He lauded the Russian Federation for the initiative and is hopeful that the MoU will pave the way for further linkages between the two countries.
