2. The local governance of fishery in Sierra Leone: a clear
framework
The current framework originated in 2007 when the MFMR decided
to revamp the former Fishery Policy of Sierra Leone 2003 (GoSL 2003).
This ambition led to the creation of the Institutional Support for Fisheries
Management Project (ISFM) in cooperation with the EU and Institute of Marine
Biology and oceanography (IMBO). The ISFM in consultation with all kinds of
stakeholders drafted a number of policies that assembled became the current
framework. Policy and Operational Framework for Fisheries of Sierra Leone
is the current reference document for fishery management in Sierra Leone.
The main focus is the sustainable management of marine resources with the
objective of reducing poverty by creating wealth and improving food security
especially for SSF (GoSL 2010). With this new framework the
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government of Sierra Leone reoriented its approach from
«production-oriented and technology-driven» (Neiland, et al. 2016) to
a sustainability and development approach, matching the global impetus. The
government of Sierra Leone hopes to promote sustainable practices amongst the
fishing community and coupled with better governance generate substantial
profit in order to reach its goal of improving the overall food security and
reduction of poverty. The new framework of fisheries is regarded as largely
coherent with clear-cut and straightforward objectives. However, concerns are
raised about the integration within the same framework of artisanal and
industrial fishing.
***
The accumulation of documents dedicated to the governance of
fisheries at all levels of governance creates a global blur set of regulations
that is hardly implemented at national level. Sierra Leone's MFMR remains
heavily limited by its little logistical resources and therefore is unable to
implement and enforce policies established in cooperation with the FAO or RFB.
While the national framework for fisheries management is clearly designed
corruption cripples the proper functioning of the institutions and the
government remains unable to manage the natural resource with transparency.
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