South Korea to help Sierra Leone manage its fish stocks amid overfishing concerns

South Korea assured Sierra Leone Ambassador Omrie Michael Golley of its support in assessing and managing the nation's fisheries stocks.
Director-General of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea Shinhee Cho and her delegation met with the ambassador recently at the Sierra Leone Mission in Seoul.
Golley had visited the Korean Ministry previously while seeking support for his country's fisheries sector. The latest meeting resulted in assurances that the Korean government would assist Sierra Leone as it works to effectively manage its fisheries to assure sustainable development.
Cho also announced the establishment of a World Fisheries University, which will work in conjunction with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization. The pilot program will begin in 2017. Students from Sierra Leone were invited to participate in the program.
The fishing industry in Sierra Leone has been affected by foreign commercial fishing operations within its territorial waters. The overfishing has raised concerns over the fisheries stocks. With the assistance from South Korea, the government will have the ability to assist locally owned fishing companies to strengthen their businesses. The nation's fishing industry employs approximately 230,000 people.