The Gambia Gov't urged to stop illegal over-fishing by Trawlers
Gambian Artisanal Fishermen are accusing Foreign Fishing Trawlers of illegal over-exploitation of fisheries resources, destruction of their fishing nets, calling The Gambia Government to stop ongoing illegal fishing activities in the country
Mr Arfang Jabbi an Artisanal Fishermen in Tanji is calling on The Gambia Government to apply the fisheries regulations laws, to safeguard the country's fishing industry from the ongoing illegal over exploitation by foreign fishing Trawlers, who bent on fishing in restricted zones around Fajara and Tanji areas, as well destroying fishing nets of Artisanal Fishermen during night fishing in their restricted areas.
Mr Jabbi observed that foreign fishing trawlers mostly encroach in restricted areas at night, and they usually run on fishing nets of artisanal fishermen licensed to fish in areas Fishing Trawlers are restricted. Each time they run on their fishing nets, that net is destroyed, incurring them huge amount of money, and they don't have places to complain to, because it is impossible to trace such Trawlers. "If you follow them your fuel will fish and you get stuck on the way; if you get close they have their spray gas to eliminate you," he said.
Mr Jabbi said such incidents usually happen during the night fishing session activities which are about to resume next month. He called on the Government and the operating fishing companies with Trawlers to advise their fishers to adhere to the fisheries regulations, by stopping their illegal fishing activities taking place in restricted areas, resulting in destruction of the fishing nets, and fish scarcity in our local markets.
Mr Jabbi further said "Fishing Trawlers use to fish in areas where even artisanal fishermen dare not to fish at, such as in Fajara and Tanji areas - near the stones - where one trawler fell in the stones recently, people are stealing it's parts, and the remains are rotting there to date. Throughout the rainy season night fishing was closed, and artisanal fishermen only go on fishing during the day time. Now that the year is about to end, marking the opening of night fishing, our Government, the fishing companies and our security forces as well fisheries officers should intensify enforcement of the fisheries regulations to put a stop to ongoing illegal fishing activities. We want foreign fishing trawlers to stop violating the fisheries regulation laws and to avoid spoiling our fishing nets because we are licensed like them to fish in specified zones. When Trawlers fish in Artisanal fishing areas they will catch juvenile fish, which undermines availability of fish in the future, by killing the breeds, which is why there is scarcity of fish in the market currently, resulting in skyrocketing fish prices.
"The Trawlers used to destroy our fishing nets a lot," he said, adding that his fishing crew alone usually have their fishing nets destroyed at least two times every year. And any time such incident happen they spend at least a week repairing such nets, losing millions of dalasis; and you can be a victim the next day you resume. When they destroy your fishing nets they use to run away, and if you chase them - they have their spray gas for any attack; your fuel can be exhausted, but they will not stop because they don't dock in The Gambia. It once happened to one fisherman whose fuel got finished on sea while chasing a trawler that destroyed his net, and other boats rescued him to come back.
Trawlers are part of cause of fish scarcity in the market, he conclude while call on concerted efforts by all and sundry to end illegal fishing activities in The Gambian waters, adding that he himself is availing his time and services including working with the Gambia Navy to combat illegal fishing activities, to ensure sustainable maintenance of fisheries resources in The Gambia
When contacted the Permanent Secretary for Fisheries through the Ministry's Press Officer denied the allegation, saying there is no illegal fishing. He said the Fisheries Officer responsible for monitoring fishing vessels travelled, but will give his reaction when he come back. However, our sources of information indicate that illegal fishing is still going on. One fisherman said just about a week ago their fishing net was destroyed by a fishing trawler at a place illegal for fishing trawler to fish at
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