FISHERY PRODUCTS LABORATORY LAUNCHED IN HODEIDAH

HODEIDAH, May 18 (Saba)- The Quality Control Laboratory for Fish-Fishery Products in Hodeidah province was inaugurated on Tuesday by Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujawar.

Established under the project of Fishery Quality Control for Export Promotion, the US$ 1.08 million project was co-funded by the UNDP, Integrated Framework, Ministry of Fish Wealth and the Royal Netherlands Government.

The five-year project was designed to support the Ministry in setting up a laboratory facility in Hodeidah with the aim to improve the quality of fish products.

In a press release, the UNDP said the project has provided seafood industry personnel training on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and has raised the awareness of fishermen communities on fish quality, control and hygiene issues.

Besides, it helped in supporting the introduction of international food safety quality standards within the fish supply chain and strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of the Yemeni Ministry.

The event was attended by Ahmed Salem Al-Jabaly, Governor of Hodeidah, Mr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Country Director and officials from the government and UNDP.

In line with the Ministry of Fish Wealth objectives and UNDP’s poverty reduction initiatives, the project resources have been utilized to improve the quality and hygiene of the fish, throughout the supply chain with stakeholders representing fishermen, seafood industry and the Ministry staff, to promote fish exports and support the Government of Yemen’s efforts in diversifying its economy.

The UNDP’s “Economic Diversification Support Programme (EDSP) will facilitate the development of Yemen’s fisheries sector by conducting fisheries resource management studies, conceptualizing sustainable livelihood enhancement strategies, enhancing fisheries trade potentialities through export promotion, assisting the fishermen communities and fish cooperatives in adopting best practices of fishing technology and fishery management, and empowering the women’s participation in the sector.

Furthermore, it will assist and support the Ministry’s efforts to develop a National Fisheries Strategy, Fisheries Information Management System and to improve Harbour/Landing centre Management.