CMNT_TITLE

The Committee recalls its earlier comments where it had noted the Government's statement that in Sierra Leone the fishing industry is carried on mostly by vessels of less than 25 GRT, which are not covered by the Convention: in so far as there may be larger vessels to which the Convention applies, efforts were being made to obtain information from the responsible authorities. It also recalls that under section 57(n) of the Fisheries Management and Development Bill, the Minister would have the power to prescribe qualifications for fishing vessels' manning and thus to draft regulations to apply the Convention. The Committee now notes from the Government's report that consultations will be renewed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in this respect. It hopes the next report will include full details.