The renovation of the Centre for the Training of Young Fishers (CFJP) in Bonamatoumbé is one of government tools put in place to lift the country’s fishing levels from subsistence to semi-industrial.Renovated.

The renovation which was recently done by the Support Program for the renovation and development of vocational training in agriculture, livestock and fisheries (AFOP) is making an extra effort to make Cameroonian fishermen masters in the art.

According to Désiré Ndjog, a Senior Fisheries Technician, this will greatly help Cameroonian fishermen to be able to exploit this art that is currently dominated in the country by foreigners.

"Until now, those carrying out semi-industrial fishing in Cameroonian waters are foreigners, mostly Nigerians and Ghanaians.Cameroonians do artisan fishing, also known as subsistence fishing.” He adds

AFOP also launched used the occasion to launch the first batch of master fishers, also called MP1.This batch is made up of 36 MP1 in training at CFJP, and they are to undergo a twelve month program.

These students are following-up today’s class on the use of the GPS on the high seas. They also expressed their joy in learning fishing in the modern way, unlike their fathers.

“Having been trained, we know security measures in water and fishing techniques better than our parents,” says Jacques Lome, an MP1 at CFJP. He adds “Our parents carried out fishing as a means of survival. For us, it will be a job for life.”

An ecstatic Benjamin Cédric Mbog declares “we are professional fishers, and others are amateurs."

Training in CFJP is based on a training manual prepared by AFOP. During their one year training, the students are supposed to understand and master the following fields like, Navigation, Fishing machines, First Aid, Outboard motors, Fishing Legislation in Cameroon and International Maritime Law.