Major Issues, Policies and Strategies on Fisheries

Abstract

This paper describes the status of the fisheries sector – its resources, contribution to economy, and fisheries production. The major concern in this sector is the need to maintain a delicate balance between requirements for increased production and the need to conserve and protect the resources for long term sustainability. Some of the environmental issues facing the fisheries sector are resource depletion, overfishing, destructive fishing, siltation and pollution. Moreover, there are socioeconomic issues of poverty in the coastal areas and policy issues including the need for strong fisheries regulation and enforcement. The paper discusses government programs to address the food needs of the country while conserving and protecting the fisheries resources.

Keywords