A three-day sub-regional fisheries seminar concluded recently at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, David W Bowen, FAO country representative, described the meeting as important, noting that it has gathered together personnel in the fisheries sector from across West Africa to discuss the various issues relating to ‘Safety at Sea’ and most importantly to strategise on a way forward for those men whose occupation remains one of the most hazardous in the world.

He then challenged the participants to make the best use of the knowledge gained from the seminar. “If you return in your various institutions, ask yourselves a number of questions, such as what is the benefits, effects and what should be the results of the objectives of the seminar, as well as what is my role as a change agent and how do I change the behaviours of the fishermen,” he said.

He suggested to participants that one of the critical outcomes of the workshop will be the network that has forged amongst them and to exchange ideas and experiences. “You should not only use the safety at sea secretariat as a resource bank for collecting information. He also challenged participants to reflect the facts that fish and fishing products plays a significant role in the dieting of many families in West Africa, often the most accessible form of animal protein in many communities.

The FAO boss then expressed hope that the delegates have recognised a link between ‘Safety at Sea’ and the attainment of Millennium Development Goal, the reduction in poverty, and by extension hunger and malnutrition by half in the year 2015.
Per Dannielson, also thanked participants and then urged them to make the best use of the knowledge learnt in the various countries.