The government has pledged that in the current financial year it would start issuing financial backing to small-scale fishers in the country through a revolving fund to make their fishing operations more sustainable.
Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr David Mathayo
The Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Development, Dr David Mathayo, told the National Assembly that by issuing subsidies to fishermen and women they would carry out their activities more efficiently, thus increase productivity.
He said the government planned to offer 50 fishing boats and 15,562 fishing nets to small-scale fishermen and women in the country as part to implementing the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (MKUKUTA).
He said in implementing MKUKUTA (2012/13-2016/2017) the government had come up with workable plans to ensure that the fishing sector was improved as it was one of the vital sectors for Tanzania’s economic growth.
Dr Mathayo was responding to a question from Amina Abdallah Amour (Special Seats-CUF), who had demanded to know why the government had not given due priority to the fishing sector by subsidizing small-scale fishermen and women through MKUKUTA.
Mr Mathayo said the government, through the Marine and Coastal Environment Management Project (MACEMP), between 2005 and 2012 had empowered a number of fishermen and women in the country.
He said over 4,000 of them were empowered to implement 240 fishing projects in the country worth 3.8bn/-.
“On the other hand, 634 fishermen and women in Mafia and Ghuba along the Indian Ocean were given subsidies to purchase 22 fishing boats and other fishing equipment worth over 339.3m/-,” The minister noted.
He added that the government, through the District Agricultural Development Programmes (DADPs) in Ludewa district council, offered 59.7m/- to eight fishing groups for purchasing boats and other fishing gear.
The minister also pledged that the government would continue with its efforts to improve and reform the fishing sector by creating a favourable environment for fishing sector to contribute more to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The government is also focusing on attracting more entrepreneurs to invest in the fishing sector and improve markets, both local and international, as we are now eying sustainable fishing,” he added.
By Christopher Majaliwa, Tanzania Daily News
