Find Fisheries expertise in Sierra Leone

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries contribute 51% of Sierra Leone’s GDP (2008). Sierra Leone has abundant fish resources, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 155,700 km², a shelf area of 30,000 km², and a coastline of 560 km. The primary sector is estimated to employ about 36,000 people, 30,000 of whom are artisanal fishermen, 1000 industrial fishermen and about 5000 inland/Aquaculture fisheries. The artisanal fishery is a major activity in the coastal districts of the western area. Artisanal fishing is estimated to employ not only the 30,000 fisherman, but also an estimated 200,000 additional jobs in the secondary sector including fish processing, marketing and boat-building. Artisanal fishermen generally use canoes ranging from dugout canoes to 5-10 man planked canoes.

The value of fishery exports far outweigh imports, $11,000,000 compared to $1,400,000 in 2007, which indicates that seafood products are an important export for Sierra Leone. The industrial fishery is significantly export oriented, and the fleet is composed mainly of shrimp and finfish demersal trawlers.

Inland fisheries on the other hand are primarily capture fisheries, with some aquaculture. Inland fishing is practiced in lakes, rivers, floodplains, operated mostly at the subsistence level. There is a wide variety of species caught, including Tilapia (main catch) and catfish. Most of the industrial catch is exported to other African countries, but also Asia and the USA.

The main institutions involved in fisheries research are the Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography (IMBO) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). The MFMR is the arm of government responsible for the exclusive management of and control over fisheries and aquatic resources within the fishery waters of Sierra Leone and its revenue is accrued through licensing, royalties and trans-shipment fees as well as though fines for the violation of fishing laws. The Ministry has also adopted the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its sustainable livelihood Approach. The legal framework for the management of the sector includes the Fisheries and Development Act (FMDA) of 1998 and 1994, the Fisheries Regulations of 1995, and the Fisheries Policy of 2003.