Despite the abundance in marine resources, the sector is largely dominated by foreigners mostly from Senegal and other African countries, who continue to exploit the country’s marine resources.
In addition, as in many other regions of the world, the country’s fishing sector is also plagued with policy failure, and illegal activities.
While Unreported, unregulated and illegal fishing continue to take its toll, many youths are also reluctant to venture into the sector, resulting in shortage of fish leading to high prices.
Last Friday, The Point reported that the Ministry of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters handed over 20 Artisanal fishing boats, power engines and nets to communities and associationa across The Gambia.
The move was part of a broader initiative designed to boost local fishing activities and ensure the sustainable management of fisheries sector. The move, not only laudable but comes at a time when the country’s youth are experiencing unemployment and irregular migration in search of greener pastures in the West.
By providing these materials, it is believed that more communities especially youth would venture into the sector to boost their income.
We therefore commend the Ministry for the foresight and call for the judicious use of the materials. The gesture was given for a good reason to help Gambian communities and youth. And for this reason, it must be judiciously used for its intended purpose.
Let’s not shy aways from our responsibilities to contribute in our small ways to national development. if youth shy away from such national endeavours, then foreigners would make best use of it and later sell the cates they generate to our own families at expensive prices. We are living all a witness to the price of fish in the local markets.
In as much as we as a country is seriously faced with shortage of fish, the matter is even compounded during feast like ‘Koriteh’ or ‘Eidul Adha’, when most of the stakeholders in the country’s fishing sector return to their respective countries.
The little catches by few local indigenes, who venture out into the waters to feed the local markets are limited and too costly to afford. This always led to high price of fish in the country.
To this end, we remain optimistic that local communities would mobilise their young people to venture into fishing.
The country has a teeming youthful population and in view of the challenges in creating employment for all these people, this sector is another opportunity for youth to exploit and develop themselves.
It is high time Gambians redirect efforts to govern fisheries towards regulating the industrial sector. Also, the Gambia government should ensure that small-scale fishermen have priority access to nearshore fishing grounds and fish stocks.