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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Dec 2018 : 21:14:31
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Am I alone in thinking that to sell one's source of a staple food,FISH, is a good idea ? personally I fail to understand that.
Foroyaa has highlighted this anomoly and that has resulted in the usual politico speech by Dr. Bamba Banja,"misinformation regarding the fisheries agreement between the EU and the Government of the Gambia."
Dear Reader you may find this article from The Freedom Newspaper of some interest.
https://www.freedomnewspaper.com/2018/05/23/gambia-the-gambia-national-debt/
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By Ndey Sowe December 31, 2018
Dr. Bamba Banja, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, said there were misinformation regarding the fisheries agreement between the EU and the Government of the Gambia.
Dr. Banja made the remark while addressing the annual general meeting of the Association of Gambian Sailors on Saturday December 29th 2018, as guest speaker for the occasion. Dr. Banja said there was too much of talk and misinformation regarding the agreement. He assured the sailors that his ministry has responsible Gambians, and they will not do anything that will undermine the development of the Gambia, particularly the fisheries sector. He added that when the new Government came to power; his ministry approached the EU on the re-establishment of the fisheries agreement between the Government of the Gambia and the EU for sustainable fisheries in the country. He went on to say that by then, the fisheries sector was dormant for 22 years.
“We have been losing revenue as a country and sector, and as well as losing employment.
“I was trained through the EEC Gambia Fisheries Agreement together with so many of my colleagues, to build our capacities to the positions we are today. This agreement we have signed, focuses on the fish called “Tuna” and “Hake”,’’ he said. Dr. Banja continued that Tuna is highly migratory and seasonal; that they move fast in the Ocean to other territories,” he noted.
Dr. Banja said to catch this fish in Gambian waters, one needs a good trawler and the capacity, including other expenses that Government does not have.
Dr. Banja said there is financial compensation for Government in this agreement; that with this sectorial support, they are resolved to strengthen institutions such as AGS as an observer association and the sailors organization that they will support the rural communities, and strengthen fisheries organizations by developing their capacities and create more enabling environment so that the participation of Gambians in the sector, can continuously grow and increase.
“National development is not easy and we have to work together. Institutions must cooperate and work together, and as a ministry, we are determined to do this. We are determined to support our sister institutions,” he said.
He opined that they will support the Gambia Navy to strengthen them so that they will be in a position to adequately Police the waters of the Gambia.
He concluded by assuring AGS that the agreement signed between Gambia Government and the European Union (EU), is among the best agreements. He described the agreement as one that creates a win-win situation.
http://foroyaa.gm/there-was-misinformation-on-the-eu-gambia-fisheries-agreement-ps-fisheries-water-resources/
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 31 Dec 2018 21:17:12 |
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jan 2019 : 19:20:37
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Friday, January 04, 2019
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters has said that the recent EU fishing deal with The Gambia is the best agreement so far compared to other countries, clarifying that the government of The Gambia would never involve in an agreement that would not be of interest to the country.
Dr. Bamba Banja was speaking recently during the Association of Gambian Sailors (AGS) annual general meeting held in Banjul. In the recent past, rumours are making rounds on the social media regarding the EU fishing deal, which many believed is not in our best interest.
He clarifies: “The government will never involve in such an agreement that will not be in the interest of The Gambia. This fishing agreement will also benefit citizens that are Gambian sailors and it will create an atmosphere of job opportunity’’.
According to him, the EU fishing vessels will also employ Gambians to work onboard.
Fisheries PS made it clear that looking at the level of the EU fishing agreement; it is the best agreement deal so far compared to other sister countries.
He noted that since the new government took over, his ministry recorded seven hundred and forty sailors, who have already secured job opportunity onboard.
Ebrima Jammeh, an experienced sailor, who attended the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, said the training is a requirement for all seafarers in accordance with the standard of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers 2010 manila convention.
Jammeh, is serving as a second officer onboard and his duties include: to prepare navigational equipments, chats and navigational books of reference.
“The medical certificate going to be issued to the trainees would be accepted throughout the world,’’ he added, further calling on sailors do their best to stop smoking as it can make them to fail their medical exams.
Mr. Jammeh was a senior instructor with the Gambia Maritime Institute since 2000 to 2008 and he also served in different positions within the administrative level.
Starting sailing in 2010, Jammeh also worked in different vessels, ranging from tanker vessels, tug boats, barges and cargo vessels.
Also addressing the gathering, Abdou Sanyang, the secretary general of the association, said the association is committed to bringing together all members and stakeholders, especially those who partner with the association to strengthen and harmonise its roles.
Sanyang dwelled on the requirements of maritime regulations and how to map out possible areas of cooperation in the coming years.
He revealed that the AGS office has achieved a lot of benefits within the maritime industry, noting that during the year under review, the association has been preoccupied with the task of providing deckhands to sea going vessels that registered in The Gambia.
He dislcosed that more than four hundred sailors and cooks secured job contracts onboard with the fishing vessels.
“We also seek ways to improve our member’s chances of employment as we have started negotiations with several organisations in The Gambia and abroad,” he added.
He revealed that over the years, the association has initiated moves to partner with The Gambia Navy, The Gambia Red Cross Society, The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services so as to train its members.
The association, he added, is working hand in glove with partners to establish a training school in accordance with regulations of The Gambia Maritime Administration.
He indicated that the association is temporarily providing space in its office for the school and that The Gambia Maritime Administration will issue certificate of proficiency and competency to the graduates.
According to him, only graduates of the school will be certified to board vessels and The Gambia Maritime will issue a national seafarers employment record book to competent and medically fit seafarers.
He challenged members to practice the job ethics, respect and avoid gross indiscipline while on duties onboard.
Author: Mamour M. Mbenga
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2019 : 22:53:15
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I would be obliged if our DEAR READER could translate this politico gobblegook into PLAIN ENGLISH,I have NO idea of the meaning of any of it.The author Adama Jobe MUST BE a Brilliant person.
I searched the internet for Adama Jobe and found this article from The Point newspaper no less,
Could this be the author of the article ?
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/jobe-wins-miss-africa-netherlands-crown
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Monday, January 21, 2019
Department of fisheries under the Ministry of fisheries and water resources last week validated the Legal Framework Assessment and Gap Analyses of the fisheries sector, at a forum that brought together stakeholders of various institutions held at Senegambia.
Ministry of fisheries and Water Resources Permanent Secretary Dr. Bamba Banja said
Gambia is among the countries that benefit from the second phases of the World Bank funded West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme (WARFP). He said other beneficiary countries are Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Senegal.
He said the WARFP Programme supports the government to improve the management of selected fisheries through strengthening regional cooperation and improving national systems for sustainable fisheries management.
He added that the programme will also support the improvement of fish and fishery products handling and strengthening national post-harvest value systems for seafood and increase benefits for communities.
According to him, Gambia has broadly taken into account international agreements and protocols in the development of its legal and regulatory frameworks and incorporated related provisions and measures. “But, there is need to further identify gaps relevant to the harm of legal and regulatory frameworks and implementing measures consistent with international and regional instruments and harmonization approaches,” he said.
Mr. Banja added that the objectives of the WARFP programme are in perfect harmony with the policy objectives of the fisheries sector and by extension the National Development Plan 2018-2021.
He said there are two outcome areas of the fisheries sector in the NDP, which are to enhance institutional efficiency and effectiveness of the fisheries sector and value chain improvement for fisheries and aquaculture transformation.
According to him, the report will serve as a gap analysis and mapping exercise
For Gambia’s existing fisheries legal framework. “Therefore, your participation and contribution will help bridge the gaps of the sector legislation and come up with recommendations for enhanced collaboration with stakeholders to shape the project by making it responsive to the needs of the beneficiary communities and institutions.”
He thanked World Bank for the support and cooperation in the management and development of the fisheries sector.
Anna Mbenga, WARFP coordinator said they are fisheries governance reform of the Su Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), the World Bank and the beneficiary countries to sustainably generate wealth from the fisheries sector of West African states. “The programme is designed to cover all seven member states of the SRFC.”
According to her, Gambia’s fisheries policy seeks to contribute to the realisation of national development goals and outlines key areas of intervention to safeguard the economic, social and environmental viability of the fisheries sector and increase the benefits for present and future generations.
Author: Adama Jobe
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/fisheries-sector-legal-framework-assessment-gap-analyses-validated
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2019 : 18:49:41
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I hope that Momodou will allow this article from a non hard copy newspaper,The Chronicle has its named reporters and I suppose is helping to save the planet by not having to have trees cut down to make newsprint, I suspect that this may well be the way to go online newspapers not just yet though,hard copy is phisical and can be phisically preserved in its original state,online is a bit like going to a cinema and watching a film.
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By.Kebba Jeffang 18th February 2019
The Gambia will allow European Union member states to use fishing trawlers to catch tunas and hake fish on its waters, in exchange for financial and capacity development assistance.
The agreement was signed between The Gambia and the EU in October 2018, under the protocol of Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA).
It licenses the EU vessels to fish in Gambian waters for six years, possibly catching 3300 tons of tuna and tuna-like species. The vessels are also allowed to fish 750 tons of hake fish per year. In return, the EU will pay The Gambia 550,000 euros per year. The agreement also covers cooperation to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
A total win for Gambia
The Minister of fisheries, James Gomez hailed the deal as a ‘total win’ for The Gambia. He said “since tuna and hake are deep-sea fishes and local fishermen cannot catch them due to their capacity constraint, it’s prudent to allow others to catch them while The Gambia gets paid.
“For 22 years, we have not been able to get a dime from the fishing industry and we know that people were fishing in our waters. The EU agreement will make sure that the two strategies in the National Development Plan (NDP) are implemented,” he said.
Being deep-sea species, he said tuna is highly migratory too with fast speed to traverse from one country’s territory to another.
“This agreement will help us gain something from the resources that God has given us. Otherwise, they will be there and we will gain nothing because it is migratory. They will move from here to Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde and those countries are benefiting,” he said.
Gomez said apart from EU’s own contribution, ship owners will also make cash payment to The Gambia, though this was not announced in the EU deal.
However, stakeholders and experts have criticized the deal on the grounds that it poses risks to The Gambia whose monitoring and surveillance mechanisms are too weak to adequately check the activities of EU’s 41 vessels at sea should they go beyond the authorized species as indicated in the agreement.
Lamin Manneh, a fisherman for thirty years, expressed concern that the EU trawlers may catch more than they are allowed to. He cited the low capacity of the Gambian navy to monitor them.
“If the EU vessels limit their catches to tuna and hake, there’ll be no problem. But if they go beyond that, it will be difficult for us. In my 30-year career, I have seen many trawlers catching fish that they wouldn’t need and ended up throwing them in the sea.”
Dawda Jarju, a fisherman with 14 years of experience, said “we have seen before some of these European trawlers spreading their nets near the edge of the sea and the navy is not controlling them the way it should. They have nets that break the stones (a hide outs for fishes) and have access to all fishes without reservation. If that continues, how do we get fish?”
Jarju predicted that in the near future, The Gambia will experience acute shortage of fish if the country fails to control the sea.
He said if the EU fishing trawlers are licensed to operate it will be added to about 20 boats of Chinese and Japanese that catch butter fishes.
Oumie Faye, a fish smoker said: “We don’t support the deal. It makes our work difficult because the EU trawlers will be exporting most of their catches outside the country.”
For Dawda Saine, the President of the National Association of Artisanal Fisheries Operators (NAAFO), a body representing small scale fishermen and the industry, the first thing government should have done was to include the entire industry in the process.
According to him, the government shouldn’t have been the sole representative to negotiate the deal, adding that it should have been multi-stakeholder engagements.
In the monitoring aspect, he argued that government should also have the technical and equipment capacity like boats for monitoring, control and surveillance.
“A fishing agreement can have some negative impacts on small scale fisheries. And such impacts filter down to the population because that will create some kind of price hike and accessibility becomes a problem.”
Who pays the Gambian observers?
Although some Gambians will be part of the EU vessels as observers, Saine raised concern regarding proper commitment to monitoring roles as eyes of the country.
“Who pays them is the question. Is it the government who is directly paying them from government coffers or is it the EU ships or the owners of the companies who are going to pay them through government? These are vulnerable areas that may be open to some kind of bribery because those people have a lot of money on board. They can just give you something and you say nothing.”
He suggested that landing obligations should also have been part of the sectorial support of the agreement that will allow creation of tuna processing establishments.
On a positive note, Cherno Jallow, a former fisheries director described the agreement as an advantage to particularly species like tuna and hake.
He said local fishermen can catch tuna but the bottleneck is lack of facilities like boats, equipment and storage to do so.
Trade injustice
Environmental science graduate, Abdoukarim Sanneh expressed concern about the Gambia’s biophysical flora and fauna and the fact that the country has no marine reserve. He said the global environmental and climate change and its impact of coral reefs in the Atlantic is threatening the Gambia’s fisheries resources. He cited England and Spain as countries who are protecting their marine ecosystem from unsustainable extraction.
“There is no marine designate reserve and everywhere is open to extraction by our local fisher folks, Europeans and Chinese trawlers. The kind of net these trawlers are using is destructive to marine environment,” he said.
Sanneh described the partnership as a trade injustice base on international politics and economy, adding that the EU and ACP agreement based on Cotonou agreement is at “our disadvantage”.
“If the minister is saying it’s a good deal, then who is monitoring the catches? Europe cannot survive without continually depending on our raw materials for their unsustainable pattern of consumption and production of resources.”
Settling for far less
Mbye Sey, a UK-based Gambian is another critic to this deal. “It’s clear this deal or partnership (SFPA) as EU calls it, is definitely not a win-win situation for both stakeholders.” He blamed the ministry for not doing their research to ascertain roughly how much the country’s 82 miles of fishing waters are worth.
“Just weeks ago, a blue fin tuna was sold at Tokyo market for 2,500 pounds. Just one and this kind of tuna can be caught in Gambian waters,” he said.
He argued that the EU package is not to transform Gambia’s artisanal fisheries to industrial one which the country could generate national wealth and create more permanent jobs for citizens.
“We’ll receive crumbs when we should have captured this opportunity to negotiate with the EU to help us evolve from artisanal fishing to industrial fishing,” he said.
To Sey, a visionary leadership would have negotiated a perfect deal that will be win-win for both sides.
“A simple research on what Gambian waters has to offer would have instilled confidence in us to negotiate a much better deal, even including amnesty for young Gambians lingering on EU streets, sleeping rough without a shelter or where to get next meal or worst deprived of their aspirations of a better future in the EU by deporting them.”
Instead of money, Sey suggested the fish could have been swapped with technical abilities to empower Gambians to build fishing industry.
“We could have asked for fishing trawlers and we could have asked for fishing quotas that must be sold to the Gambian market to ease the struggle of the new artisanal fishing and more. But we settled for far less,” he said.
Although the deal was approved by the National Assembly, objections and concerns were raised against it by some lawmakers.
The member for Serekunda, Halifa Sallah described it as a bad deal for the Gambia and called for renegotiation.
“Looking at the agreement from its face value, I would like to say that Gambia is horribly disadvantaged. Our ocean is the basis of the future survival of this nation and our young people are now being deported from Europe. I am receiving calls every day of the fear and threat they are being subjected to.”
Sallah said The Gambia will only receive pittance from the deal, while compromising the interest of young people particularly that are being deported.
The EU vessels are expected to start fishing on the Gambian waters very soon, when official processes are completed.
https://www.chronicle.gm/gambias-fish-for-eus-money-2/
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2019 : 18:57:50
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QUOTE from the above:
"The Gambia whose monitoring and surveillance mechanisms are too weak to adequately check the activities of EU’s 41 vessels at sea should they go beyond the authorized species as indicated in the agreement."
Readers MAY like to be reminded that all is not and that the EU has an answer that was welcomed and implimented by Thailand  
https://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16327 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 21 Feb 2019 18:59:44 |
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2019 : 22:36:38
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NO Need for to to write anything more is there !!!
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By Makutu Manneh April 16, 2019
Fishermen in Tanji and Brufut Fish landing sites lament the low catch they are experiencing since the beginning of the year.
This, they said, has affected their businesses, and they attribute the problem to the ‘invasion’ of the Gambia’s territorial waters by fishing trawlers which use unauthorized nets to catch all sizes of fish including infant ones that is later dumped in the sea. The fishermen in both the two landing sites confirm that during this time in previous years, they use to have bumper catches but this is the contrary nowadays.
Visiting these fish landing sites recently, a lot of fishing boats were seen idle and moored ashore. Fishermen were seen seated in their boats looking devastated because of the situation. Tanji and Brufut are major fishing centres where many Gambians earn their living. The fishermen complained that Chinese trawlers in Gambian waters are doing more harm than good, and therefore the authorities should look into this issue with urgency.
Abdou Kumba Nije, President of the Tanji Fishermen Association, said one of their major problems is the advent of trawlers in Gambian waters which according to him catches young fishes; adding this is because those trawlers use small ‘size nets’. He added that fishing sometimes is seasonal especially during the windy season which is normal, but he pointed out that the current situation is far from normal. “Government should take action because the main source of revenue for the country is over exploited,” he pointed out.
Abdoulie Nyang, a fisherman at the Brufut landing site said he mainly catches butterfish, white fish and barracuda which he weighs and sells to businessmen and women who resell at hotels. “There is one major problem affecting fishers in the Gambia and this is the coming of Chinese trawlers,” he decried.
Nyang indicated that nowadays, lots of trawlers fish where small boat owners operate; that trawlers are supposed to fish in deep waters, but this is not done.
Many people who spoke to this reporter, express similar remarks.
For months now fish has been a major problem for fishmongers and consumers, leading to the high price of fish in the country. This reporter went to the Fisheries Ministry to get their reaction on the issues raised, but was told that the Minister has travelled, and the Permanent Secretary said he cannot comment on the issue until Thursday 18th April 2019.
Foroyaa will continue to pursue this issue and will update readers on the developments.
http://foroyaa.gm/fishermen-decry-low-catches.
RELATED.
https://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16327 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2019 : 15:47:27
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This is what happens when BIG ships catch all the mature fish with modern machinary FISH stock are depleted and the local people break the law by having to catch juvinile fish in order to survive.
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Friday, June 07, 2019
Fisheries officials at the Tanji fish landing site have expressed dismay and difficulties exhibited by some fishermen in the smooth execution of their work. This came following recent attack on them by one Foday Jack, a fisherman.
It was alleged that some juvenile fishes were spotted inside his fishing boat, which resulted in a confrontation and the case was reported at Tujereng Police station.
Ousman Kinteh, an employee at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources and a victim of the said case, said he was sent by her senior officer to confirm whether the landed boats have anchored with juvenile fishes.
Kinteh maintained that while conducting a search on the vessels, in a particular boat, the owner refused him to conduct the search.
“I was just sent by my immediate senior to go and confirm whether there were juvenile fishes on these boats. Upon my arrival one Foday Jack, a boat owner refused me to do a search on his boat which later end up in a fist fighting and later a police case. This is not the first time we are being confronted in such manner by boats owners any time we want to do a search on their boats,” he added.
A committee comprising fisheries communities recently convened a meeting in relation to the incident, where the alkalo of Tanji called for a smooth collaboration between the two parties.
Author: Yusupha Jobe
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/fisheries-officials-lament-troubles-in-job-execution
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 08 Jun 2019 15:49:08 |
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toubab1020
12238 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2019 : 12:37:30
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Its blinding obvious that if you want someone to do a good job then you must give them the tools to do the job.
It should not be the function of a newspaper to highlight this but for the ADMINISTRATION to ensure that THEIR employee is backed by them .(politicians !!!)
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Friday, June 07, 2019
Illegal fishing which includes juvenile fishing is a serious issue affecting many developing countries. It is virtually found in all types and dimensions of fishing and occur both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction. It concerns all aspects and stages of the capture and utilisation of fish, and it may sometimes be associated with organised crime.
Therefore, safeguarding of our vast marine resources calls for concerted efforts by all and sundry. The work should be left alone to the fisheries officials, since our water resources is what we have.
It is sad to report that The Gambia is losing a lot of its water resources due to Unreported Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. At the global perspective, a significant amount of money is lost due to IUU fishing alone as estimate indicates that the West African waters lost almost US$23.5billion per year - representing up to 37 percent of the region’s catch.
Therefore, the recent attacks on fisheries officials in Tanji just for doing their work should not be left to go like that. The act is uncalled for and it is high time law takes its course to deter others. If we continue to exercise that kind of ‘maslaha’ attitude all the times in addressing issues of national concern, it will be difficult to make any meaningful head as a country.
We must remember that there has to be that enabling environment for civil servants to executive their functions without fear or favour.
It’s a well known fact that it’s always hard to work in such a complicated situation as it requires lot of sacrifices and compromise.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources must step up efforts to empower its employers working at the frontline. Their job is sacrosanct and so it needs immense protection.
Fisheries resources are among The Gambia’s most prestigious resources and we must at all cost protect and safeguard it from unscrupulous people.
Therefore, the people who are executing that job at the forefront must be respected. They are doing this job not for their families but for the entire nation for a more solid and vibrant water resources for our future.
But the government must not to turn a deaf eye to ensuring that its people working in that kind of situation are given reassurance to ensure effective and efficient execution of their duties.
“Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world. It gives you the opportunity of being totally immersed, turning back into yourself in a good way. A form of meditation, some form of communion with levels of yourself that are deeper than the ordinary self..”
Ted Hughes
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/lets-empower-fisheries-officials |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Gambian population are 
