Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Minister. My first supplementary is this: Since CFC purchases only about 1% of the national catch, there is no comprehensive, State-backed programme supporting fishermen, especially to increase offshore yield—stock enhancement, protecting breeding seasons, and ensuring sustainable harvesting—while enabling fishermen to capture more value. Input costs for small-scale fishers—engines, spares, nets, boats—are very high, and past support schemes have lapsed. What concrete programme is in place to assist fishermen with technology and support to raise productivity and strengthen small fishers, beyond ad hoc purchasing?