Fisheries Sector Development Programme (FSDP).

This Fisheries Sector Development Programme (FSDP) is a sectoral framework designed to implement targeted interventions for the sustainable management, development, conservation, and utilization of fisheries resources. It will be executed at both national and local levels, involving collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders. The programme’s interventions will focus on investing in fisheries resource protection and conservation, empowering stakeholders, enhancing fisheries knowledge and information management, promoting the utilization and marketing of fish and fishery products, supporting fisheries and aquaculture research, extension, and training services, advancing fisheries and aquaculture technologies and infrastructure, and fostering sustainable aquaculture development. The overarching goal of the FSDP is to establish a sustainable, competitive, and efficient fisheries and aquaculture sector that improves stakeholder livelihoods, contributes to national economic growth, and safeguards the environment. The programme is structured around the following objectives (i) ensure effective fisheries resource management, protection, and conservation; (ii) strengthen the utilization and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products; (iii) enhance fisheries and aquaculture research, training, extension, and information services; (iv) develop and improve fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure; and (v) promote sustainable aquaculture development, management, and environmental conservation.
The programme comprises six key components (1) Fisheries Resource Management, focusing on monitoring, surveillance, collaborative management, and government-led initiatives such as surveillance centers, Beach Management Units, Marine Protected Areas, and policy reviews. Sustainable fisheries management requires strong policies, law enforcement, regional harmonization, and international collaboration to ensure resource conservation and economic contribution. The objective is to protect aquatic biodiversity and the environment while improving the collection, processing, storage, accessibility, and dissemination of fisheries data and information; (2) Resource Utilization and Marketing, aiming to improve the quality, safety, and standards of fish and fishery products, ensuring their acceptability for human consumption and other uses. This requires adopting appropriate technologies for fishing, handling, processing, storage, fish seed and feed production, and aquaculture development. Investment in fisheries infrastructure and market competitiveness is essential for efficient resource utilization and sustainable economic benefits; (3) Aquaculture Development, seeking to enhance the efficient use of aquaculture resources to improve livelihoods. Effective implementation requires adequate infrastructure, modern facilities, skilled personnel, and strengthened private-sector participation. Institutional capacity building, awareness creation, training, and exchange programs play a critical role in advancing the sector; (4) Research, Training, and Extension, focusing on developing and improving technologies for fisheries and aquaculture to increase production and productivity. Providing quality extension services tailored to the needs of fisherfolk, aquafarmers, and stakeholders is essential for sustainable sectoral growth; (5) Legal and Institutional Framework, ensuring transparency, predictability, resource ownership, and minimal discretion in fisheries governance. Effective implementation of legal and regulatory frameworks requires adequate capacity to enforce and monitor compliance with sector laws; (6) Cross-Cutting and Cross-Sectoral Issues, addressing the protection of aquatic ecosystems from environmental threats, gender mainstreaming to achieve equity in the fisheries sector, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, improved access to financial resources for investment, and the establishment of critical infrastructure to support fisheries sector development.
The successful implementation of the FSDP requires the active participation of stakeholders at all levels, from national to village level, including intermediate structures, to ensure inclusive and comprehensive engagement. It is expected to bring significant benefits, including (i) growth in the fisheries sector from 4.5% to at least 7% per annum; (ii) an increase in the fisheries sector’s contribution to GDP; (iii) a boost in government revenue collection; (iv) an increase in fisheries production; (v) a rise in fisheries exports; (vi) a growth in full-time employment for fishers; (vii) a rise in fisheries-related employment; (viii) increased involvement of the national fishing fleet in the EEZ fishery; (ix) expansion of fisheries establishments from 24 to 50; (x) a rise in seaweed production; (xi) a significant increase in aquaculture fish production; (xii) an increase in fish seed production centers from 8 to 20; (xiii) a reduction in illegal fishing activities by 80%.