The Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources yesterday convened a validation workshop on the Draft Fisheries Policy, at the Baobab Lodge in Kololi. The policy is the first of it’s kind since the setting up of the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources.

Declaring the ceremony opened, Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, said concerns have been raised by many that the fisheries sector is without a clear and elaborate national policy. He then noted that the lack of such a policy has stifled investment in the sector and caused uncoordinated developement in the sector, adding “changes are inevitable in the developement process as both the industrial and artisanal fisheries sub-sector continue to evolve”.

According to him, it is on those reasons that the objective and strategies in the draft policy have been presented in broad terms which, he noted, should be examined and interpreted complety from all anges. “It may not be possible to immediately implement all the strategies provided in the document, but they can be attainable in due course,”he added

SoS Touray then added that the Goverment continue to underscore the involvement of the private operators in the developement of the fisheries sector and will continue to create the enabling enviroment to attract investment in the sector.
This, he said, is with the view of providing more employement opportunities, thus, reducing poverty, improving nutritional standards and increasing foreign exchange earnings.” The National Fisheries Policy should therefore lay the foundation for a framework that’s inclined in this direction. It should also provide adequate mechanism for the sustainable management of the resources in accordance with the Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries as prescribed by the FAO,” SoS Touray noted.

He then underscored the high priority goverment has given to the fisheries sector in order to make it play a greater role in the socio-economic developement of the country. He therefore urged the participants to ensure that all the critical areas necessary for the effective management and development of the sector are included in the policy. He added that the participants should also ensure that a policy with achievable objectives and credible stategies encompassing all stake holders is formulated.

Speaking earlier, FAO representative to the Gambia, David Bowen said his organisation has for several years been the vanguard of calls for improved fisheries management worldwide. He said the FAO Code of Conduct for responsible fisheries policy is being used as a foundation upon which to base fisheries policy and management. “ Together with the guidelines for its implementation, the code contains a broad set of principles and methods for developing and managing fisheries and aquaculture,” SoS Touray added.

According to the FAO rep, some countries have not officially approved Fisheries Management Policy which leaves fisheries management with a free licence, resulting in the lack of transparency and effectiveness. The problem, he added arises in both developed and developing countries , thus leading management authorities to have poor accoutabilty system in the fisheries sector.

According to FAO rep, fisheries is linked with poverty alleviation as outlined in the 2005 National Human Development Report of The Gambia, which was also launched yesterday.

Mr Bowen added that in order to make fisheries management work, there is a need to address the factor that most immediately and directly threaten the sustainability of fisherfolks’ livelihood, describing Sustainable Fisheries Livelihood Project (SFLP) of placing a greater emphasis on addressing all forms of poverty, such as the intervention to promote the involvement of women in fisheries management processes, mainly in addressing marginalisation or social exclusion. He used the occasion to record FAO’s apreciation on the positve impact SFLPs have on strengthening fisherfolks’ livelhihood in West Africa, including The Gambia.

FAO rep finally reafffirms his organisation’s commitment to support The Gambia for a comprehensive and viable fisheries policy.