By Modou Kanteh
The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, on Thursday, 14th November embarked on a sensitisation exercise on expansion of Oyster Management Plan in North Bank Region. The exercise sponsored by EU Sector Support Programme was meant to develop management plan for communities involving in oyster farming and harvesting in the North Bank Region (NBR). The sensitisation on the management plan for the expansion of Oyster Management Plan was held in different communities across the region and this enhanced them to raise their concerns and challenges.
The oyster farming and harvesting communities that participated in the sensitisation exercise in NBR included Barra, Essau, Madina Kanuma, Mbankam, Bakindiki Koto, Lewna, Ginak Kajate, Ginak Nijjie, Santangkoto, Toubakolong, Mbantang Kiling, Albreda, Sika Mbanta Sami Tenda, Memmeh, Bafuloto,Karantaba, Bakang, Tambana and Darsilameh. The exercise is expected to propagate sustainable oyster harvesting practices into areas beyond the present coverage of the Tanbi Wetland Reserve, to make the oyster management plan a national one. Moreso, the focus of this effort rests on engaging with and catering to the needs of communities situated in the North Bank Region, thereby fostering enhanced environmental stewardship, biological sustainability and socio-economic upliftment.
The Department of Fisheries engaged the stakeholders to identify and prioritise management measures for oyster harvesting in the North Bank Region. Mr. Babanding Kanyi, Head of the Inspectorate Unit at the Department of Fisheries, said the Oyster Management Plan replication in North Bank Region represents a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainable management of oyster resources and promoting socio-economic development in coastal communities. He noted that through participatory engagement and collaborative efforts, the department would be able to develop effective governance mechanisms and conservation strategies that will uphold the principles of environmental sustainability and community resilience. For the past years the Government of The Gambia is working hard to ensure that the oyster sector in the country is improved. All the communities have welcomed the introduction of the management plan in their respective communities.
