Diverse Sector Opportunities
Fisheries
Over 200 fish species have been identified in Sierra Leone, classified into four categories: Pelagic fish, Demersal fish, Crustaceans and Cephalopods.
Tuna catches in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is underexploited, with huge potential.
Aquaculture
Sierra Leone has more than 690,000 hectares of inland valley swamps for aquaculture as well as lakes, reservoirs and floodplains available.
Large potential for mariculture in shrimp, oyster and inland fish farming.
Fish Processing
The Government is keen to support investors that want to process fish in Sierra Leone.
Opportunities exist for investing in processing facilities for both export and local consumption with large stocks of both export-oriented and locally consumed fish species.
Fishery Infrastructure
The construction of a fishing harbor complex with facilities under public private partnership are being explored including:
Transshipment terminals,fishing vessel repair (dry-docking), bunkering facilities for fuel and close proximity fish processing facilities.
FishTech Solutions
Modern FishTech, including tracking and monitoring devices such as, radio tags, labelling and blockchain, enable effective controls and traceability requirements for important export markets.
Source: Wavteq based on Devex, Visit Sierra Leone, Daltons Banana Guest House, CNN, International Business Times
Additional activities that play a role in Sierra Leone's Fisheries ecosystem include:
Artisanal Fishing Activity
It operates in estuaries and coastal waters extending from the shoreline to a depth of 15-45m. This activity comprises of variety of dugout and planked canoes which employs diverse ranges of fisheries gears, which include cast nets, ring nets, driftnets, set net, beach seines and hooks. This fishery contributes significantly (up to 80%) of the total national fish production.
Industrial Fishing Activity
Industrial fishing activity operates in the deep waters, out- side the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) and it is characterized by multinational fleet which include trawlers, shrimpers, long liners, canoe support vessels (mother ship) and carriers. It is largely export–oriented.
Inland Fishing and Aquaculture
Inland fishery operates in rivers, a few lakes, flood plains and swamps. Aquaculture is mostly practiced in inland valley swamps and wetlands and has great potential for development.
There are enormous investment opportunities in the fisheries and marine sector. These include:
- Fish processing
- Value addition
- General infrastructure including:
- fisheries harbour
- landing site
- fish harbour complex
- Shrimps fishing
- Aquaculture fishing
- Water transportation and industrial fishing
- Fresh water and semi-industrial fishing