In a bid to improve the livelihoods of local fishermen, boost domestic fishing activities, and promote sustainable management of fisheries resources, Gambia’s Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters, officially handed over 20 artisanal fishing boats and units to various communities and associations across The Gambia on Friday, 2nd January 2025.
The boats and units were received by regional governors and the representative of the Mayor of Banjul during a ceremony held at the Fisheries Jetty in Banjul.
During the handover, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries,the Permanent Secretary, Buba Sanynang emphasized the significance of these boats and units for the local communities and associations. He explained that to ensure effective utilization and monitoring, the Ministry had engaged government representatives such as the regional governors and mayors, who would then collaborate with local leaders, including chiefs and alkalolous, to pass the equipment on to the communities.
Both the Permanent Secretary Buba Sanyang and Musa Sidibeh of Fisheries Department urged the beneficiaries to use the boats responsibly and avoid abandoning them for illegal migration, referring to the “backway” journey as a harmful and undesirable choice.
Governor Saidykhan further stated that providing such equipment is part of the government’s efforts to engage youth in the country’s economic sectors. “This initiative will not only discourage the dangerous backway migration but will also help provide affordable fish and create sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries,” he said.
In conclusion, he assured that operational frameworks and monitoring mechanisms were already in place, with fisheries officers working alongside local governance structures to ensure effective use of the resources. Several local representatives and alkalolou also spoke at the ceremony, expressing their gratitude to the Ministry for its ongoing support to the fishing communities.