A
five-day sub-regional training seminar on artisanal fisheries, hosted by the
Department of Fisheries of The Gambia, commenced on Monday at the NaNA
conference hall.
Organised
by the Dakar-based West African Development of Artisanal Fisheries (WADAF), the
forum was designed to strengthen the technical and political skills of
artisanal fisheries professionals.
The
seminar, attended by participants from Sierra Leone and The Gambia, is expected
to improve the artisanal sea products processing techniques and conditions.
Speaking
on the occasion, Matarr Bah, director of fisheries, said the objectives of the
training seminar are in line with the fisheries policies of the Sub-regional
Fisheries Commission.
He
pointed out that capacity development is key for the effective conservation,
management and development of the fisheries sector.
“Without
the required capacities, artisanal fisheries operators cannot or it will be
difficult and challenging to influence government policies,” Mr Bah said.
“This
training will add impetus at all levels, as participants get new and more
effective way to approach sustainable fisheries management.”
WADAF
Executive Secretary Musa Mbengue, in his remarks, said training of fisheries
stakeholders is a precondition for their effective participation in public
fisheries policies.
In
West Africa, the fisheries sector, in general, and the artisanal fisheries, in
particular, play a crucial role in the socio-cultural, economic and
environmental functions.
It
is in view of this, Mr Mbengue said, that the governments of the sub-region and
development partners embarked on supporting and creating conditions for a more
active participation of fisheries actors and stakeholders.
“Even
though some significant progresses have been made, the professionals of
artisanal fisheries still express significant training needs to strengthen
their capacity to participate in the policies and the sustainable development
of the activities that are central to their lives.”
This
is why the ongoing training seminar is designed to take care of certain
capacity needs of the artisanal fisheries stakeholders, he added.
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