Capt. Pat-Sowe impresses partners in Brussels

Capt. Pat-Sowe , Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources

The 4^th meeting of African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Ministers in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture has ended at the ACP House in Brussels Belgium.

The forum which was held from 20^th-23^rd July 2025, provided an opportunity for the Ministers to take stock of progress made in implementing the Strategic Action Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was adopted in Nadi, Fiji in 2012, and to agree on the way forward to ensure the sustainability of aquatic resources with a view to wealth creation and development.

In his presentation the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Sierra Leone, Momodu Allieu Pat-Sowe on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone, thanked all member countries who in diverse ways contributed to the fight against Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone and the region. He lamented that there has not been much sub-regional and regional collaboration in the implementation of best Fisheries Management Practices and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration in terms of assets and expertise with a view to utilizing the limited resources for maximum gains. Capt. Pat-Sowe noted that for developing countries in the ACP region to be self- sufficient, they need to put their words into action. The Minister encouraged all to do their best in ensuring sound fisheries management, and pointed out that “Ebola was able to infect wild animals but Ebola cannot affect fish, a cheap source of protein in most developing countries”, amidst thunderous applause and acknowledgement from his audience.

The programme was preceded by a meeting of ACP Senior officials in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture and was chaired by His Excellency, Mr. Hanno B. Rumpf, who doubles as Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to Brussels, and chairman of the ACP Ambassadorial Working Group on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Mr. Rumpf noted that the meeting which was originally scheduled to take place in Swakopmund, Namibia had to be taken to Brussels because of some unforeseen circumstances and thanked all for their understanding. In his opening remarks, the Assistant Secretary General in charge of sustainable Economic Development and Trade at the ACP Secretariat, Mr. Viwanou Gnassounou, welcomed and thanked delegates and donor partners for their participation.

At the end of the forum, the Minister adopted a roadmap for the implementation of the strategic action plan and called for close collaboration with the technical partners, as well as adequate financial resources to ensure its effective implementation

Given the negative impact of climate change on the fisheries sector, the Ministers called on the international community to agree to outline concrete, ambitious actions during the 21^st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), which is scheduled to take place in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015.

The ACP Ministers also called on the international community to provide financial and technical support for the efforts made at the national and regional level, to curb and eradicate Unreported and Unregulated illegal Fishing and Piracy and agreed to implement plans for the development of aquaculture and appropriate fisheries management measures in compliance with international agreements.

They also stressed the need for coherence and appropriate policies among sub-regional and regional organisations and looked forward to support from regional economic integration organisations and sub-regional fisheries organisations to achieve this aim.

Sierra Leone was also represented Hon. Ibrahim Sorie, Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Winston Yankuba, of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Brussels and Mr. Josephus Mamie, a senior official from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Sierra Leone.

By Max A Konneh, Press Officer, MFMR

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