Like many other sectors fisheries sub-sector plays a very vital role in the socio-economic development of the Gambia.
Apart from food, it also creates income and employment for many Gambians and non- Gambians alike.
We welcomed the just- concluded two day forum organized by the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters aimed at improving the sector.
It is obvious to state that a number of economic, social, institutional, physical and technical constraints are impeding the sustainable development, growth and management of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. These constraints identified in the Gambia Medium Term Plan (MTP) developed by the Gambia Government in collaboration with the UNDP for the period 2005-2009 include: poor governance and management, inadequate scientific information for informed decision making, inadequate infrastructure, and limited control over the resources, poor product quality management, and low level of aquaculture development, low level of regional trade in fish and fishery products, inadequate skilled manpower and inadequate investment in the sector. It is therefore our firm conviction that concerted efforts need to be deployed to enable us attain the best quality from our fisheries sector.The fisheries sector needs to be given more focus to increase the benefits for present and future generations. In order to enhance attainment of the fisheries sector’s potential to contribute to national socio-economic development; more work is needed in this crucial sector.
It is high time young people are given more support to venture into fishing as they need more training and capital to motivate them.
On their part, the youth also have to be responsible in the way and manner they handle their business including those in the fishing industry.
