Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters of The Gambia, in collaboration with the Gambia Maritime Administration, is set to begin the first-ever nationwide registration of all canoes operating within Gambian waters. This initiative, which aligns with the 2012 Fisheries Act, aims to provide authorities with accurate data on the number and distribution of canoes, ensuring better management and regulation of the sector.

In preparation for this significant exercise, the Ministry convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at its conference hall in Banjul. The meeting was designed to provide key stakeholders with firsthand information on the planned registration process and to gather input on how the exercise should be conducted.

Speaking at the meeting, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Buba Sanyang, emphasized the importance of the registration exercise and called for unified efforts across all landing sites. “Your ideas are important in this exercise. But we want to have one format that will be used across all landing sites,” Sanyang stated. He acknowledged existing challenges among different actors at the landing sites, noting that these issues often stem from the management of natural resources in those areas.

PS Sanyang also reminded Center Management Committees at various landing sites that they lack the authority to allocate land within fisheries zones. He clarified that while the committees can make recommendations, the ultimate decision rests with the Ministry. He further urged fisheries officers stationed at landing sites to work closely with all relevant actors, highlighting their observatory role in monitoring the types of nets being used.

Following the meeting, a team from the Department of Fisheries, accompanied by officials from the Gambia Maritime Administration, will embark on a nationwide sensitization campaign to raise awareness about the canoe registration process. This initiative marks a milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the regulation and sustainability of the country’s fisheries sector.