Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A five-day workshop focused on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in The Gambia is currently underway. Organized by the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to implement the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and develop a technical working group to tackle IUU fishing.

The Gambia’s coastline, with its nutrient-rich marine ecosystem, is vital for the country’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of many coastal communities. However, these resources are under severe threat from IUU fishing, which depletes fish stocks and undermines the socio-economic stability of the region.

Anna Mbenga Cham, the Director of Fisheries, highlighted that in 2020, the FAO and the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters identified the urgent need to eliminate IUU fishing. This led to an FAO team visiting The Gambia to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment under the German-funded Port State Measures Support Project. The assessment identified critical gaps and resulted in the development of a national strategy and action plan, submitted to Gambian authorities in September 2022.

The workshop’s objectives include agreeing on a draft terms of reference for the technical working group on IUU fishing, establishing informal rules of procedure, developing a time-bound work plan, and finalizing an inter-agency memorandum of understanding (MOU) for better coordination among relevant authorities.

The workshop will also focus on capacity building for key stakeholders involved in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in The Gambia. This includes training sessions on data collection and analysis, vessel inspection techniques, and enforcement procedures. By enhancing the skills and knowledge of these individuals, the country can strengthen its ability to detect and deter IUU fishing activities within its waters. Ultimately, the goal is to improve compliance with international fisheries regulations and promote sustainable fisheries management practices in The Gambia.

Dr. Mustapha Ceesay of the FAO emphasized that the fight against IUU fishing is crucial not only for protecting fish stocks but also for preserving marine heritage, securing livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development. He stressed the importance of adopting the inter-agency MOU to ensure better coordination and information exchange, which will provide a clear roadmap for actions in the coming months.

Malang Darbo, Deputy Permanent Secretary Technical at the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters, noted that while The Gambia continues to face the persistent threat of IUU fishing, significant strides have been made to enhance the country’s capacity in monitoring, control, and surveillance of fisheries resources, thanks to support from international partners like the FAO and Germany.

The Gambia became a party to the 2009 FAO PSMA on July 29, 2016, joining global efforts to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing. A preliminary inter-agency workshop held in November 2022 laid the groundwork for the creation of the technical working group on IUU fishing, which is now taking shape through this current workshop.

IUU fishing remains a significant challenge as it involves blatant disregard for maritime and fisheries laws, unreported activities that exploit marine resources, and actions that violate international conservation measures. This workshop is a crucial step in addressing these challenges and ensuring the sustainable management of The Gambia’s fisheries resources.