Minister of Fisheries and Fisheries Products, Ahmed Badani, Announces Measures to Support Fishermen, Boost Fish Production
BY: Hana Saada
Algiers- In a recent statement to national radio, Minister Ahmed Badani addressed the issue of compensating fishermen who have been adversely affected by weather fluctuations, particularly in the province of Tipaza. A total of 811 fishermen have been impacted, and as a commitment from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, they will receive monthly compensation of 30 thousand Algerian dinars.
Furthermore, Minister Badani highlighted that 160 fishing vessels have been damaged due to these weather fluctuations. The cost of compensating the affected fishermen has amounted to 880 million Algerian dinars, which has been borne by the public treasury.
To support the recovery of the fishing industry, the Minister announced the reopening of the fishing port in Tipaza, scheduled for December. Additionally, he shared encouraging statistics on aquaculture at sea level, with fish production reaching 5,500 tons in 2023. The Ministry aims to further increase this production to 14 thousand tons in 2024. Moreover, 300 tons of freshwater fish production have been recorded, and plans are underway to exploit major water basins for freshwater fish production, particularly tilapia. An agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is expected to be signed soon to facilitate this initiative. Furthermore, efforts are being made to establish a processing industry for tilapia fish.
In line with technological advancements, the Ministry is working towards the implementation of a digital card for fishermen, which will contain comprehensive information about each individual. This initiative is set to commence in December. Additionally, digital platforms have been developed to monitor prices and the national maritime fleet, ensuring efficient management of the fishing industry.
Minister Badani also highlighted the achievements in shipbuilding, with three vessels designed for fishing on the high seas, exceeding 35 meters in length, completed last year. “To date, we have successfully concluded eight shipbuilding workshops. These vessels were constructed using solely national capabilities. Additionally, we have recently entered into a mutually beneficial agreement with Mauritania, granting us the exclusive rights to exploit approximately 31 thousand tons of fish residing in its vast marine waters,” the Minister concluded.
