JICA’S ASSISTANCE TO ERITREA ON COASTAL FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT

The Horn of Africa has been ravaged by prolonged draught situation in the recent years among other adverse effects exercabated by climate change outcomes. This has posed a serious challenge to the Governments in the region as issues of Nutrition and Food Security worsen. Eritrea is not an exception. Just like other countries, Eritrea equally continues to witness the challenges associated with this global phenomenon which has put millions of lives under undesirable circumstances. Issues of drought and desertification aggravated by climate change continue to adversely affect the quality of life of the people.

However, the ongoing challenges offer the chance to also explore ways in which we could mitigate the effects and also create new opportunities. In this case, fortunately, Eritrea is endowed with coastal territorial waters that habour great potential for fisheries development and a collectivity of efforts is important in harnessing the great potential that lies in this sector.

The Government of Japan through JICA has been on the forefront in supporting Eritrea develop a vibrant marine industry through “The Project for the Formulation of the Strategies and Practical Approaches for Coastal Fisheries Development in the State of Eritrea (FSPAC)”. In the recently organized 5th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) for the Project, Mr. Tewelde Kelati the Minister in charge of Ministry of Marine Resources commended the practical approach in the implementation of the project which is critical for technical transfer of skills from JICA Experts to the Counterpart staff at the Ministry of Marine Resources.

The project which has been under implementation between October 2019 and October 2023 will contribute to the formulation of the “The Technical Guidelines on the Practical Approaches for the Priority Challenges of Coastal Fisheries Development of Eritrea” by developing a coastal fishery development strategy / approach that will be effective for implementing the development strategy by the Ministry of Marine Resources officials through the situation survey and pilot projects in Asmara, Massawa and the surrounding coastal and island fishing villages. The overall implementation of this development plan is expected to harness the productivity of coastal artisanal fisheries, stabilize the production volume, promote domestic distribution, and contribute to improving food security of the country and the livelihood of coastal fishermen.

# JICA ODA in Eritrea