Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has revealed USD 2.5 million were disbursed as income support allowance to assist the fisheries sector.
The government introduced a monthly income support allowance of USD 323 as compensation to cover the essential expenses of individuals whose employment has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics publicised by the fisheries ministry revealed USD 2.5 million has been disbursed as income support allowance 1,854 individuals. As such, USD 77,690 were disbursed to 98 parties involved in the skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna fishing sector, USD 1.9 million to 1,394 parties involved in reef fishing and USD 51,794 to 362 parties involved in sea cucumber and lobster fishing.
Moreover, the statistics showed that loans of over USD 855 million were disbursed to five companies purchasing skipjack tuna.