Gambia to benefit from $30 million fisheries programme

The Gambia will benefit from the second phase of the West African Regional Fisheries Programme (WARFP) and the expected investment for country from this programme is US$30 million, the fisheries and water resources minister has said.

Joseph Gomez said the money will be used to develop fish landing sites and adding value to the fisheries products for improved food security and poverty eradication.

Speaking at a two-day fisheries stakeholders meeting on 3 and 4 August 2018, the minister said the fisheries sector was dormant for the past two years.

It is the responsibility of all fisheries stakeholders to improve the sector and manage it properly, he said.

“The new Government of The Gambia will continue to provide support for the realisation of improved and sustained management and development of the fisheries sector,” Mr Gomez said.

He explained that the government, in collaboration with donor partners, will focus on the principal outcome areas to enhance institutional capacity and effectiveness in the fisheries sector and improved the value chain for the fisheries and aquaculture transformation.

The governments of The Gambia and Senegal have signed a bilateral cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture and its implementing protocols.

“For the first time in the agreement, both countries are genuinely willing to support each other for the effective management and development of both fisheries sectors,” the minister said.

The country representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Dr Perpetua Kalala, said FAO recognises the government’s commitment to the development of fisheries and aquaculture for enhanced nutrition and employment creation.