By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has recorded a significant increase in revenue, generating NLe163 million in 2025, up from NLe150 million in 2024. This growth comes as the Government steps up efforts to protect fish stocks through a nationwide Closed Fishing Season scheduled for February 2026.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, announced the revenue growth during the weekly government press conference at the Miatta Civic Center on Tuesday, 7th January 2026. She emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to further improving revenue performance in 2026 through enhanced management and enforcement in the fisheries sector.
During the same briefing, Minister Dugba stated that the Closed Fishing Season for the artisanal fisheries subsector will run from 1st to 28th February 2026. The policy is designed to safeguard fish stocks and promote sustainable fisheries management.
“The decision to implement closed seasons is not taken lightly; there are clear benefits for the fishing sector,” she explained. The Minister highlighted that the closed season provides a critical biological resting period, allowing fish to spawn and replenish stocks. This, in turn, will improve catches and increase income for fishers in the long term.
While previous closed seasons focused primarily on the industrial fisheries subsector, the policy has now been extended to artisanal fisheries under an annual framework. Minister Dugba stressed that the measure aligns with international best practices and offers Sierra Leone an opportunity to strengthen sustainable marine resource governance while protecting livelihoods dependent on fishing.
She assured the public that strict enforcement would be carried out through coordinated monitoring, control, and surveillance mechanisms to ensure full compliance throughout the closed season.