Three hundred fishermen will benefit from the delivery, which is aimed at contributing to the recovery of the fishing sector, improving family incomes, advancing self-sufficiency to achieve sustainable food production, and increasing productivity. It will also further a sustainable economic environment and increase job opportunities.
 |
| Source: PRNewsfoto/SDRPY. A fishing boat from the SDRPY. |
"On behalf of all the people of the province, I extend my thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and his Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman," Socotra Governor Ramzi Ahmed Mahrous said during the inauguration ceremony.
The projects that KSA has offered the people of the province will remain forever in the minds of generations, the governor stressed, and said Socotrans would remain loyal to their Saudi brothers and sisters.
Saudi Forces Commander in Socotra Brigadier General Abdul Rahman bin Salman Al-Hajji confirmed that the project is an extension of those that KSA had earlier implemented in Socotra under the guidance of King Salman and the Crown Prince in support of all Yemeni provinces, with the direct participation of SDRPY Supervisor Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber.
Al-Hajji explained that the boats being delivered had been manufactured in local Yemeni factories, according to special specifications to adapt them to conditions in the Socotra Archipelago.
The fisheries sector in Yemen provides employment opportunities for more than half a million individuals, who in turn support 1.7 million and make up 18% of the coastal population of 9.4 million. Fishing is thus a major source of income, an important sector for job creation, and a key contributor to the economy.
The high cost of boats, on which about 36,000 fishermen depend, represents a genuine challenge after prices jumped by 100% to 150%, in addition to 200% increase in engine prices. In 2018, the cost of an engine reached 3,900,000 Yemeni riyals (about US$15,400).
SDRPY operations are not limited to the fishermen of Socotra Archipelago, as the programme has supplied 100 boats to fishermen in Al-Mahra Governorate as well. Yemen's coastline stretches more than 2,500 km along three seas – Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea – and encompasses 10 governorates: Aden, Abyan, Hadhramaut, Hodeidah, Hajjah, Lahj, Taiz, Shabwah, Al-Mahra and Socotra.
SDRPY aims to achieve its development goals in alignment with the objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development."