Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said that the installation of Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems on fishing vessels will help resolve long-standing challenges faced by fishermen in obtaining ice and contribute to increasing their income.
He made the remarks during a joint press conference held by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and the Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF) to brief the media on the implementation of the RSW initiative.
Minister Shiyam highlighted that one of the main difficulties in the fisheries sector is the limited access to ice and the rising cost of fuel, both of which affect the profitability and efficiency of fishing operations.
To address these challenges, he stressed the importance of introducing modern and sustainable technologies such as RSW systems while expanding access to financial support for fishermen. The Minister expressed optimism that such initiatives would strengthen the fisheries sector and enhance the livelihoods of those working within it.
According to the Minister, the RSW project aims to equip fishing vessels with energy-efficient technology that allows them to preserve their catch at sea without depending on ice plants. This, he said, will improve product quality and reduce post-harvest losses.
“Upgrading our fishing fleet is very important today. Many vessels were built years ago and may not meet current standards. By adopting newer systems such as RSW and fuel-efficient engines, we can help our fishermen reduce waste, lower costs and improve the quality of their catch,” he said.
He further added that the RSW Financing Project to be introduced under the initiative will make financial assistance available to fishermen who are typically unable to access conventional sources of funding.
