Various fisheries organizations in the country have cautioned the Gambia Government to stop interfering with the obligations and mandates of various Fisheries Organizations.
The member organizations have maintained that the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources has no right to create an association of non-state actors which, they alleged, is meant to fight various Fisheries Organizations, based on the 29 September Press Conference about activities and impacts of Fishmeal plants, in which the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resource, Dr. Bamba Banja “openly threatened” to ask Ministry of Justice to revoke the registration of AFICOSA.
Speaking on behalf of the Fisheries Organisations, Mr. Foday, Jack, told Mansa Banko Online that AFICOSA is the lead organization in the country which would be supported by NASCOM NAAFO.
“It is noted that only the fishermen would be represented in any association. All fishermen at all landing sites are urged to refrain from meeting any consultants concerning the newly proposed creation of an umbrella organization,” Mr. Jack urged.
Mr. Jack alleged that the creation of the new organization is not the role of the Ministry of Fisheries.
He accused the ministry of trying to “grab funds” which are part EU fishing agreement for sectoral support for fishing communities and activities identified to be implemented at various landing sites.
The fisheries Organization bodies urged their members to kick start sensitization at all fishing landing sites about the ministry’s proposed creation of a new national umbrella organization for the implementation of EU Gambia fishing agreement sectoral support component.
Mansa Banko Online will contact Dr. Bamba Banja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources on this matter.
