By Modou Kanteh
The Ministry of Fisheries Wednesday signed a contract worth GMD 4.5 million for the development and upgrade of the Fisheries Information System (FIS).
The Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters signed the contract with Forte Innovation Limited.
The project is aimed at modernizing fisheries management through an enhanced digital platform to improve data collection, analysis, management and reporting within the sector.
According to the ministry, the upgraded system is expected to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and support the sustainable management of the country’s fisheries resources.
Officials say the initiative follows a comprehensive needs assessment conducted within key units of the Department of Fisheries, which identified operational gaps and challenges in data management requiring an integrated digital solution.
Once completed, the system will centralize fisheries data, improve operational efficiency, and enhance compliance with national and international fisheries management standards.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary at the Fisheries Ministry, Buba Sanyang, says the system is central to the ministry’s reform agenda and should be implemented without delay.
“The system is crucial for us, so we want it to be operational as soon as possible,” he remarked.
He added that the upgraded Fisheries Information System would improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in the ministry’s operations while supporting informed policy formulation and effective resource management.
The ministry says its long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive and user-friendly digital system to strengthen fisheries data management and promote sustainable sector development.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, the Department of Fisheries, and representatives of Forte Innovation Limited.