News and Events

ECOWAS Commission Fact Finding Mission in The Gambia Fishing Sector Underway

• July 8th, 2021
• Fatou B. Cham, Information Officer, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters

The Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters had requested for support from the ECOWAS Commission to develop a project proposal on the development of the landing sites as well as the participation of youth and women in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

In light of the above, the ECOWAS Commission came on a fact finding mission in The Gambia from 2nd to 12th July, 2021.

The team from ECOWAS Commission first paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Fisheries, James F.P Gomez, and later had an in-house meeting with the Department of Fisheries where the ECOWAS team gave an overview of the PESCAO programme.

Dr. Amadou Taal, from the ECOWAS team, stated that the overall objective of the “IMPROVED REGIONAL FISHERIES GOVERNANCE IN WESTERN AFRICA” PESCAO programme is the contribution of fisheries resources to sustainable development, food security and poverty alleviation in West Africa is enhanced.

Anna Mbenga Cham acting director of the Department of Fisheries in her presentation elaborated on the situation of the fisheries sector in the Gambia stating that it is divided into three subsectors which includes artisanal, industrial and aquaculture. 

She further elaborated on the opportunities available in the fisheries sector which includes the abundance of water resources, wild fisheries resources, aquaculture potentials, FMC- Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and so on. 

According to her, the goal of the fisheries sector is to promote a vibrant fisheries and aquaculture sector through research, sustainable management and utilization of the fisheries resources that will enhance employment and create livelihood opportunities for Gambians.

The sector faces a lot of (physical, social, financial, etc.) challenges and needs to be addressed to achieve the above goals.

Momodou Saidyleigh head of Aquaculture Unit presented on pertinent technical documents on the current situation of aquaculture sector in The Gambia.

While Modou Cham, head of Extension
 Unit also presented on the current situation of landing sites in The Gambia both inland and coastal.