The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has pledged its support to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to ensure the successful implementation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries 2022-2026 (NPOA-SSF).
Launched in June 2022, the NPOA-SSF aims to bolster socio-economic growth by harnessing the potential of the small-scale fisheries sector and promoting sustainable practices.
This support was highlighted during a recently concluded joint workshop organised by FAO and the ministry to develop a resource mobilisation strategy for implementing the NPOA-SSF.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, FAO’s Assistant Representative in Namibia Ferdinard Mwapopi emphasised FAO’s unwavering support toward the government’s efforts to uplift the country’s small-scale fisheries sector.
“Recognising the vital role of small-scale fisheries in supporting the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), FAO is committed to assisting Namibia in the successful implementation of the NPOA-SSF. FAO aims to collaborate closely with the government to support resource mobilisation for the NPOA-SSF and to unlock the socio-economic development potential of the small-scale fisheries sector in Namibia,” Mwapopi said.
The communique also added that in order to leverage responsive funding for the small-scale fisheries sector, the workshop fostered an interactive session for participants to develop a strategic response.
This ensured that the workshop provided a platform for ministry officials to contribute to the resource mobilisation strategy and action plan.
Key tasks during the workshop also included the sharing of information by ministry officials regarding the status of small-scale fisheries activities in their respective regions and proposing strategic interventions to secure funding for the implementation of the NPOA-SSF across all 14 regions.
By mobilising adequate resources, Namibia seeks to create an enabling environment for the small-scale fisheries sector to thrive, which will contribute to the advancement of socio-economic development, poverty eradication, food security.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Nampa on the sidelines of the workshop last week, Deputy Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Johannes Hamukwaya noted a lack of funds as a hurdle for the successful implementation of the NPOA-SSF.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency