Gambia: Workshop on the establishment of a Pan-African Agenda for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries

By Chinyere Ogbonna- A three day  workshop on the establishment of a Pan-African Agenda for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries has begun in Bangul,  Gambia. This is coming ahead of this year’s World Fisheries Day celebration.

The workshop put together by the African Confederation of Artisanal Fisheries Professional Organization (CAOPA) in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the National Association of Artisanal Fisheries Operators of Gambia, the Coalition pour des Accords de Peche Equitable, the Sub-regional Fishermen Commission and the Gambian Government. The workshop will enable members of the Confederation to formulate recommendations for both governments and professionals with a view to adopting measures which will guarantee its sustainability in over twenty four Africa countries.

The President of CAOPA, Gaoussou Gueye, said the workshop was meant to help members of the Confederation in generating extensive information on the sector which in turn would enable them to identify major challenges that are to be addressed. He noted that the Government of the Gambia through the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters assured CAOPA of its collaboration to developing a sustainable artisanal fisheries environment in the Gambia.

The Minister, Mr. James Gomez who was represented by Dr. Bamba Banja,  disclosed that the Gambian government was working with partners to improve the management, development, and protection of fisheries resources across the country. He noted that overcapacity in fisheries has given rise to  consequences resulting in the rapid depletion of the resource, the destruction of ecosystems and fish habitats.

In an address, the host member of the Confederation, NAAFO applauded the Government of Gambia and CAOPA for their respective contributions towards ensuring that both the workshop and World Fisheries Day commemoration ceremony be held in the Gambia. Among other issues, the three day event is also aimed at identifying  the major challenges and problems to be solved in order to develope sustainable artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in Africa to ensure food security.

The workshop had in attendance fish artisans,  journalists and other stakeholders in the fishing sector in Africa. The theme for this year’s World Fisheries Day is Defining a Pan- African Agenda for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries”.