LIVESTOCK and Fisheries Minister Abdallah Ulega has emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to equip fishers with modern technologies, which is a crucial aspect in driving development of the fisheries sector.

Minister Ulega made the statement in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the opening of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) meeting attended by fisheries experts from OACPS member countries.

He stated that as the meeting will offer stakeholders in the fisheries sector an opportunity to exchange experiences and collectively improve their operations, it is important to think on equipping fishers with skills and modern tools.

“The government of Tanzania has made significant efforts to address the challenges faced by small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers, including improving fishing infrastructure, enhancing technology, providing modern equipment for fishing and aquaculture activities, and creating favourable conditions for access to capital and markets,” he said.

He highlighted that hosting the OACPS meeting in Tanzania will be instrumental in developing robust strategies to enhance the fisheries sector and stimulate the national economy.

 “The OACPS meeting aims to address various issues related to the welfare of marine and freshwater resources and to devise strategies to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and the wellbeing of fishers,” he explained.

According to Ulega, the OACPS meeting will bring many benefits to the country, including the participating organizations exploring ways to empower small-scale fishers to improve their activities, especially in light of climate change.

Additionally, Minister Ulega highlighted that Tanzania will continue to diligently oversee efforts to ensure the sustainable management of marine and inland water resources through various strategies, including the Comprehensive Fisheries Sector Plan, the Blue Economy Policy, and ongoing efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The initiatives aim to ensure that water resources, particularly the ocean, lakes, and rivers, remain sustainable and benefit both current and future generations.