Mauritius – Government extends assistance to family of deceased artisanal fisher
Government has extended financial assistance and support to the family of Mr Ashoksingh Bisram, a registered artisanal fisher, who lost his life at sea after being reported missing.
A delegation comprising the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; the Minister of Education and Human Resource, Dr Mahend Gungapersad; the Junior Minister, Mr Gilles Fabrice David; the Member of the National Assembly, Mr Nitish Sharma Beejan; and representatives of the Fishermen Welfare Fund thus visited the bereaved family yesterday in Cap Malheureux.
As part of the assistance provided, a cheque of Rs 15,000 was presented to the family under the Fisher Family in Distress Scheme of the Fishermen Welfare Fund. Another cheque of Rs 5,000 was handed over to the mother of the deceased, Mrs Nirala Devi Bisram, under the Funeral Grant Scheme to assist with expenses incurred during the funeral rites.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Boolell expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, noting that the loss of someone who knows and understands the sea is particularly distressing. He therefore stressed the importance of empowering fishermen with the necessary equipment and facilities to enable them to venture safely into offshore waters.
Dr Boolell also stated that Government has earmarked funds to support this transition, including assistance to help fishermen acquire bigger boats suitable for offshore fishing. Government is also working with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa under the African SIDS project to mobilise further support for our artisanal fishing community, he observed.
According to Minister Boolell, these initiatives will help empower fishermen to move beyond lagoon fishing, access new fishing grounds and develop their activities in safer and more sustainable conditions.
It is recalled that Mr Bisram was reported missing at sea on 10 August 2026 and his body was subsequently recovered by the National Coast Guard on 12 August 2026 in the lagoon of Cap Malheureux.
Source : GIS Mauritius
