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

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

James F. Gomez, the minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters explained that the project is a winning situation for the country.

“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 realise that The Gambia is more fortunate to the outcome,” he explained.

In the agreement, he said, the EU will contribute €550,000 which will be used to develop the capacity of Fisheries and improve government revenue. He added that the ship owners will contribute €360,000 annually.

“We consider this a winning situation,” he said, adding that the country will have D15 million annually to engage with young people, women, artisanal fisheries and aquaculture so that the country can expand the industry, get more people on board and create more jobs.

According to him, lawmakers considered the agreement as the best the country ever had with the EU.

He disclosed that the country will get €5.4 million in four years 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 at Fisheries Ministry highlighted that the agreement focuses on the sustainable and rational management of our resources, adding that “we will be having scientific cooperation with 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, the EU and Gambia government want to help each other.”

H.E. Attila Lajos, the EU ambassador to The Gambia, buttressed that The Gambia is going to decide on what and how they are going to spend.

He said from the EU perspective, it is under the framework of sustainable fishing that The Gambia is taking ownership.

Source: The Point