Freetown, January 7, 2026 — The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has announced a nationwide closed fishing season for the artisanal fisheries subsector, scheduled to run from February 1 to February 28, 2026, as part of government efforts to protect and restore fish stocks.
The Ministry said the measure is aimed at allowing fish populations to breed and regenerate, in line with global best practices for sustainable fisheries management. Seasonal closure, officials noted, is not new in Sierra Leone, as it has been applied in previous years to industrial fishing companies. However, the government has now extended the policy to include the artisanal fisheries subsector, which accounts for about 70 percent of the country’s fishing population.
According to the Ministry, government has approved seasonal closures as a permanent annual activity for both fishing categories. Under the new arrangement, artisanal fishing will be suspended every year from February 1 to 28 or 29, while industrial fishing will observe a closed season from April 1 to April 30.
As part of preparations for the February 2026 closure, the Ministry will work closely with enforcement bodies under the Joint Maritime Committee, including the Sierra Leone Navy, Sierra Leone Police, Office of National Security, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, traditional authorities, artisanal fishermen’s groups, and community management associations.
The Ministry announced that effective midnight on January 31, 2026, all artisanal fishing canoes must be anchored at their designated landing sites. It warned that the closure will be strictly enforced, with penalties for violators ranging from seizure of fish, fishing gear and outboard engines to the imposition of heavy fines.
To cushion the impact of the closure, the Ministry assured the public that arrangements have been made with industrial fishing companies to maintain a steady supply of fish on the market throughout the period.
While acknowledging the temporary hardship the closure may cause to artisanal fishing communities, the Ministry emphasized that the policy is intended to safeguard long-term livelihoods by ensuring the sustainability of marine resources.
The Ministry has therefore called on all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the exercise, noting that compliance will lead to healthier fish stocks, improved coastal livelihoods, and a more resilient fisheries sector nationwide.
