WADAF training on coastal and marine ecosystems management ends

A five-day training of coastal and marine ecosystems management and co-management of fisheries resources organised by the West African Association for Development of Artisanal Fisheries (WADAF) has ended at NaNA conference hall in Bakau.

The programme was held to strengthen good governance of fisheries activities within the professional organisation of artisanal fisheries in the West African sub-region.

In an interview with The Point newspaper, the executive director of WADAF, Mouses Mbengue, said the organisation is established to support seven African countries involved in fishing such as The Gambia and Sierra Leone.

He said the recently concluded training was meant to discuss with fishermen issues relevant to the growth and development of the fishing industry.

Mr Mbengue disclosed that WADAF has plans to construct a place at Old Jeshwang for the fish smokers to use in smoking their fishes.

He further pointed out that out WADAF seven member countries, three Gambians have been selected to be trained on relevant areas of fisheries and thereafter WADAF would sign a project in The Gambia that would facilitate the work of those trained.

WADAF director called on The Gambia government and the fisheries stakeholders to put in policies and regulations that would empower the fishing sector and protect the sea for the growth of the fishing sector.

Abdul Koroma, national correspondent of WADAF, said the training in The Gambia is the second phase of such activity conducted by WADAF. 

He said the fishing sector, particularly the artisanal fisheries sub-sector, is very dynamic hence the need for periodic trainings to keep up with the trends.