Ms. Isatou Bajinka of Brufut Sotokoi Layout, a GYINer, represented GYIN Gambia in Town Hall Meeting for Artisanal Fisherfolk and Policy Makers held on the 7th of November 2024 at Kerr Jula, Bertil Harding Highway, Bijilo.
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) through the PROREFISH Project organised the Town Hall Meeting aimed at creating platforms for artisanal fisherfolk and private entrepreneurs to collaborate, dialogue, and mitigate ways to tackle challenges in the fishing industry.
The Town Hall Meeting was designed to foster dialogue between artisanal fisherfolk and policy makers. Among the aims of the event, was to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the fishing sector, focusing on sustainable practices, economic growth, and regulatory considerations.
According to information from GCCI, artisanal fishing communities contribute significantly to The Gambia’s economy, food security and cultural heritage. However, these communities face various challenges, from regulatory changes and environmental issues to limited access to resources.
The Town Hall Meeting has created a platform for fisherfolk to share their experiences and concerns directly with policy makers, fostering a better understanding and collaboration for policies that support sustainable fishing practices and community welfare.
According to Ms. Isatou Badjie, the Town Hall Meeting was a successful meeting while adding that some of the problems mentioned were the high cost of fish in the local markets, high license fee cost, high discharge cost, lack of cold stores and high cost of fuel in the country.