Yankuba Touray, secretary of state for Fisheries and Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, yesterday, took delivery of a vehicle, donated by the Taiwanese Embassy in Banjul.

The four-wheel Toyota Landcruiser is earmarked for the specialist in aquaculture at the fisheries division of the state department to facilitate occasional visits to the aquaculture project site in Sapu, Central River Region.

In a succinct statement delivered before handing over the key to the vehicle at a presentation ceremony held at the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, Taiwanese Ambassador, Dr Patrick Chang expressed delight in presenting what he described as a “modest donation” to the state department.

Thanking Secretary of State Touray for his involvement in the development of aquaculture, Ambassador Chang recalled the launching of the aquaculture programme in Sapu about a year ago, which was presided over by the secretary of state himself, saying that this landmark event was also witnessed by Dr David Bowen, FAO’s country representative and a handful of aquaculturists.

He paid tribute to the department for their support and cooperation with his embassy and its technical mission stationed in Sapu for the realisation of common aspirations.

In a speech flavoured with a string of realities revolving around aquaculture, the Fisheries and Water Resources Secretary of State, Yankuba Touray confirmed the triumphant cooperation between his department and the Taiwanese Embassy, anchoring mainly on harnessing the human resource base and transfer of technology.

Crux

SoS Touray, who is also responsible for National Assembly Matters, disclosed that 50 per cent of the fish consumed in the world today is produced through aquaculture, noting that sub-Saharan Africa contributes less than 1 per cent to this global output.

He classed Taiwan as one of the trail blazers, which is advanced in technology in aquaculture farming.

Noting that the new Fisheries Policy is now in place, SoS Touray, underscored the need to back up this policy with a regulatory framework to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the marine resources of the country.

To this end, the country’s chief of Fisheries and Water Resources confirmed that this framework will be in place as early as next year.

He also spoke about the new integrated approach in the country’s fisheries industry, expressing hope that this strategy will augment the earning capacity of farmers, while correspondingly discouraging depletion of marine resources.

He emphatically stated that his department will not venture into aquaculture production, but it will rather undertake research and technology transfer.

He disclosed that a micro-credit scheme for aquaculture farmers is already in place at SDF (Social Development Fund), expressing hope that this will encourage them (farmers) to participate in the programme.

Ready market

Commenting on market diversity for aquaculture produce, the Fisheries and Water Resources SoS, Yankuba Touray envisaged possibilities for Gambian farmers to penetrate both African and European markets. According to him, there is a big market for tilapia and catfish, saying that even neighbouring Nigeria is stretching out its tentacles to import the species which have attractive prices in this West African state.

He affirmed his department’s resolve in putting in place conditions that will ensure sustainable exploitation of the country’s marine endowments for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Commenting on private sector participation as the engine of any country’s socio-economic development, SoS Touray said they will entice the private sector to step forth and take its rightful role, which will boost national output. He thanked the Taiwanese Embassy through Ambassador Chang for the generous donation, on behalf of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

Director of Fisheries, Adiatou Njai, delivered the welcome remarks, while Lamin Nyabally, permanent secretary at the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, chaired the ceremony; also attended by the staff of the state department.