By Ndey Sowe
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Thursday 7th November 2024, at the GCCI Head office in Bijilo, organized a town hall meeting designed to foster dialogue between artisanal fisherfolk and policymakers on. The event aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the fisheries sub-sector by focusing on sustainable practices, economic growth, and regulatory considerations.
The artisanal fishing community contributes significantly to The Gambia’s economy, food security, and cultural heritage. However, some of these communities face various challenges from regulatory and environmental issues, to limited access to resources. The meeting serves to create a platform for fisher folk to share their experiences and concerns directly with policymakers and to foster a better understanding and collaboration for policies that support sustainable fishing practices for the community.
Baboucarr Saho, Deputy CEO of GCCI said whatever they do is geared towards helping and supporting the private sector. He said they are the ones who constitute the backbone of the Gambian economy and keep the country going.
“We feel that it is only fitting and proper as a chamber of commerce representing the private sector, to deal with the fishing sector and we feel that it is high time we understand what is really happening in this sector so that we can mobilize opportunities and bring it to the stakeholders,” Mr Saho said. He therefore indulges stakeholders in the sector to express what their challenges and possible opportunities are, without which they cannot solve their problems. He also urges everybody to have genuine and progressive conversation for a sustainable fishing sector.
Dr. Mustapha Ceesay, Assistant FAO Representative highlighted that the fisheries sector plays an important role in The Gambia’s socio-economic development.
“It employs close to half of the total labour force and is a main source of livelihood for both urban and rural populations. The economic potential of the fisheries sector in terms of export earnings, food security, and nutrition, as well as improved livelihoods for both rural and urban populations, cannot be over-emphasized,” he said.
Meanwhile, in spite of the enormous potential of the fisheries sector in The Gambia, he said the sector faces numerous challenges from the impacts of climate change.
“Climate change threatens the livelihoods of fisher folks. There is a decrease in catches which is the main source of protein for the Gambian population and a pillar of sustainable diet as well as food and nutrition security, especially for vulnerable populations,” Dr. Ceesay said. He said the FAO and the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and NAM are executing the first Global Climate Fund project on fisheries, to support the vulnerable and poor fishing communities to build resilience to climate change and diversify their livelihoods through technology improvement, climate-resilient infrastructure development and diversification of local food systems, with emphasis on artisanal fisheries,” he said.
He added that it is as a result of this endeavor, that it becomes a necessity to promote dialogue and understanding between the artisanal operators and policy makers.
Bubacarr Camara, representing artisanal fisher folks, urged stakeholders to help them with good fishing boats and trawlers that will help young people and women with good catches at affordable prices.
“Sometimes what we earn at the end of the month is not sufficient because we have to pay house rent, pay for our children’s school fees, etc. We therefore urge the government to help us to have a fishing allowance for a sustainable fishing sector,” Mr. Camara appealed.
