May 17, 2006

International organizations pledge US$240 million to Africa's fisheries

The African Union (AU) and donor agencies have launched a new partnership to restore depleted fisheries and reduce poverty in Africa, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in Nairobi on Tuesday (May 16).

The initiative, funded by international donors such as the AU, the World Bank, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Global Conservation Organization, FAO and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) makes up for a total of US$240 million dollars to be committed over the next 10 years.

FAO said the scheme is the first of its kind on sustainable fisheries in Africa and would reduce poverty along coastal areas while preserving marine resources.

According to FAO, the funding will be used to assist countries' to better manage their marine fisheries and improve the living conditions of fishing communities.

The statement said community-driven management programmes, monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries, marine protected areas and developing alternative livelihoods to fishing are among the activities eligible for support through the fund.