‘Safe Shore’ initiative targeted at 45K Egyptian fishermen is worth LE150M

The initiative was launched by the ministry on May 27 in collaboration with the General Authority for Fish Resources Development (GAFRD). The initiative is a presidential one and is funded by Long Live Egypt Fund.

In the launching ceremony, the first batch of fishing equipment and diving suits was handed to 1,100 fishermen. Later, soft loans will be made available to them and their wives so they would be able to generate income off season. The initiative also ensures enrolling the fishermen and their families in the Universal Health Insurance Programme being introduced in governorates over phases so as each phase consists of a number of the 27 governorates.

"A Safe Shore" encompasses four phases to serve 42,000 fishermen. The first will be delivered to 15,000 fishermen working in Beheira's Lake Rayan and Lake Idku, Alexandria's Lake Maryout, and Lake Manzala lying in four governorates that are Port Said, Damietta, Sharqia, and Daqahliya. 

The second phase consists of Kafr El Sheikh's Lake Borolos, Ismailiyah's Bitter Lakes and Lake Temsah. The third phase includes the lakes constituting the Nile River's estuaries, while the fourth encompasses Lake Nasser in Aswan, and Lake Bardawil in North Sinai. 

Minister Nevine al-Qabaj stated that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had instructed paying fishermen a stipend, and rehabilitating their boats, if needed.