By Landing Colley
Some groups of fishmongers in the country have renewed their call to the government to help put an end to Chinese destruction on waters as they accused fishmeal factories of continuous environmental destruction and pollution of Gambia’s waters.
The group said the Chinese fishing trawlers are cutting their nets which has holding back businesses of many fishermen. Some said they have been forced by Chinese behavior to go into Senegal’s southern region of Casamance.
Lamin Sanyang said he has stop fishing because anytime they go for fishing and lay their nets the Chinese will cut their net. “It has been happening several times we have been going for fishing and coming back with empty hand,” he lamented.
He added that this has been going on and they made series of complaints while same thing keeps happening.
He disclosed that most of the fishermen are foreigners but they are helping Gambians because if they stop fishing the whole community and nearby will suffer.
He called on government to help enforce the navy to help regulate the waters, adding “so that the Chinese will not overlap their territory.”
Fatoumata Conteh a fish seller said: “we are facing limitless difficulties, as it takes us about 6-7 days without having fish.”
“The problem with Chinese is now getting worst because they are not stopping at their territory and they keep on cutting the nets of the fishermen,” she said.
She urged the government to help them to control the situation.
Fatou Corr, a principal fishery officer said “the ships that are cutting their fishing nets are not only Chinese ship but some are from Senegal”.
“When they lodge complains we always write the report and take them to our main office and the office ensure that those that lodge complain are given compensation.”
