D16M artisanal fisheries project launched

The project will be implemented by the Department of Fisheries through the Ministry of Fisheries for two years.

Speaking at the launching ceremony held at the minister’s office in Banjul, the FAO country representative, Mrs Perpetua Katepa Kalala, said the importance to the fisheries sector could not be overemphasized, as fisheries contributes 12 per cent to the GDP.

She also indicated that the project was funded through FAO TCP to the tune of D16 million for a two-year period.

According to the FAO country representative, the primary aim of the TCP project is to improve the sub-sector of fisheries through capacity building, ethics, proper fishing, among other modes of operation to ensure effective utilisation of the fishing industry.

She expressed delight about the partnership between the FAO and the Ministry of Fisheries, adding that at the level of the FAO all they are looking for is the development of the fisheries sector.

She also thanked the regional office in Accra for participating in the formulation of the document, adding that all they are looking for is to see the successful implementation of the project.

She said the FAO would continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries in the successful implementation of the project.

The Minister of Fisheries, Lamin Nyabally, thanked the FAO for the partnership, which is geared towards improving the fisheries sub-sector in The Gambia.

He said the launching serves as another milestone in the fisheries sector, in the sense that artisanal fishing has great potential.

He said with the FAO coming to support in improving this sub-sector, the Ministry of Fisheries and its line department would leave no stone unturned at ensuring the successful implementation of the project.

He assured the FAO that the project would be fully implemented by the Gambia government through the Ministry of Fisheries.