Gambia signs to offer EU fish 3300 tons of tuna in Gambian waters

The European Union (EU) and The Gambia government have signed sustainable fishing partnership agreement (SFPA) protocol, the new protocol covers a period of six years and will offer EU vessels the possibility to fish 3300 tons of tuna and tuna-like species as well 750 tons of hake per year in Gambian waters.

This was revealed at a press briefing held at the EU embassy in Fajara.

Mr. James Furmos Peter Gomez, the minister of fisheries, water resources and national assembly matters explained that the project is a winning situation for the country because for a period of 22 years, Gambia didn’t benefit from the resources in our waters.

“The fisheries department is working from scratch after the change of government. We have the shortest sea coast, which is only 80 miles, compared to other countries. Senegal Mali, Mauritania had signed it but by looking at the agreements, you will realize that Gambia is more fortunate to the outcome,” he explained.

In the agreements, he said the EU will contribute 550,000 euros, which will be divided into two parts on capacity building and government revenues. He added that the sheep owners will contribute 360,000 euros annually.

“We consider these a winning situation because we have been crying as to how we develop our capacity with the budget constraints that The Gambia have but at least we will have 15 million annually to engage with young people, women, artisanal fisheries and aquaculture so that we can expand the industry, get more people on board and create more jobs,” he stated.

He reiterated to table the agreement to the parliamentarians because they consider the agreement as the best we ever have with the EU.

For the period of four years, he lamented that we will get 5.4 million euros to help the fishing industry, adding that the absent of Gambians in the sector is a big problem. “The process, the EU will work with our people to create job opportunity.”

Dr. Bamba Banja, the permanent secretary of the fisheries ministry highlighted that the agreement focuses on the sustainable and rational management of our resources, adding that “we will be having scientific cooperation, the EU to support and determine the power mass of our stock level. It is a win-win situation for The Gambia and in this agreement, all the EU and Gambia government wants to help each other.”

H.E Attila Lajos, the EU ambassador to The Gambia buttressed that Gambia is going to decide on what and how they going to spent the circler support. He said from the EU perspective, is under the framework of sustainable fishing that the Gambia is taking ownership