The Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, in collaboration with Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO, on Wednesday September 26th, launched a Telefood Project for Pirang and Sanyang communities in Western Region.

The objectives of the project, among others, are to increase production and reduce post harvest losses and high quality smoke fish products. The project further aims to directly benefit 79 fishermen and 65 women fish smokers from Pirang and Sanyang, respectively.

Speaking at the launch, held at the Fisheries Department, along Marina Parade, Banjul, David Walter Bowen, FAO Country Representative, said lost in fish, caused by spoilage are estimated at 10 to 12 million tonnes per year, accounting to 10% of the total production.

He noted that better management has to be applied within the fisheries sector, noting that fisheries management measures aim at sound sustainable production involving co-management approaches, but at the same time integrated management has been enforced to satisfy the demands of the various resources-users, including fisheries.

The FAO boss, however, assured of his office’s readiness to support any undertaken made by the fisheries sector in this country.

Abdou FM Badjie, Governor of Western Region described the project as timely. He added that the project is an empowerment activity, which will go a long way towards addressing food security in the country.

He noted that the project will not only help the beneficiaries to preserve fish, but will also help them to plough back the incomes generated for domestic consumption.

"It is true that FAO has been Gambia’s partner in development for a long time. We are testifying to the fact that they are also engaged with DoSF and WR to make available funds for these communities", he said.

According to Ousman Gaye, Chairman Brikama Area Council, said he’s witnessed a lot of meaningful development projects in the fisheries sector. Mr Gaye posited that the implementation of the project will also empower many Gambians, especially the women folk.

Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, who launched the project, elaborated on the importance of the fisheries sub-sector in national development agenda.

According to him, the recently concluded fisheries framework survey has indicated that in the area of catching, 60% of the people involved is dominated by foreigners.

SoS Touray added that the dominance of women folk in the project is also in line with President Jammeh’s call for gender empowerment.

SoS Touray further emphasised that already the new policies of the fisheries sector and also the medium programme has been endorsed by the government and the bill sent to the National Assembly.

He said these initiatives constitute a clear testimony of the government’s commitment to the development of fisheries sector. He emphasised that the project has been conceived to reduce poverty in the community, noting that his Department is also supporting community support groups, through micro-credit union (MCU).

He then urged the men folk to ensure that the project is properly managed so as to make it sustainable.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Haruna Camara of Pirang and Mama Badjie of Sanyang, all expressed delight and appreciation.

The ceremony was chaired by Suwareh Jabai, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources.