By: Fatou Krubally
Fisheries stakeholders from The Gambia and Senegal have renewed calls for stronger cross-border cooperation to ensure the sustainable management of shared marine resources amid growing concerns over declining fish stocks and increasing pressure on the fisheries sector.
The call was made on Tuesday during a meeting held at the Brufut Fish Landing Site, which brought together fisheries organisations from both countries to discuss challenges facing small-scale fisheries and identify areas for collaboration.
Marine biologist and fisheries expert Dawda Foday Saine said effective management of shared fish stocks requires joint action, noting that marine resources move across national boundaries and cannot be managed by one country alone.
“Irresponsible fishing anywhere is a threat to responsible fishing everywhere,” Saine said, warning that activities in one country can directly affect fisheries resources in another.
He said the initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between fishing communities and stakeholders in The Gambia and Senegal while ensuring their participation in decisions affecting the sector.
Saine explained that many fish species harvested by communities in both countries are shared stocks, making coordinated policies, improved data exchange and joint management measures essential for their long-term sustainability.
Participants discussed major challenges affecting the sector, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, competition over declining resources and growing pressure on small-scale fisheries.
The fisheries expert noted that while both countries have fisheries laws, conventions and management strategies, challenges remain due to weak compliance and human activities that undermine conservation efforts.
He expressed concern over the decline of marine resources globally, citing increasing levels of overfishing and its impact on coastal communities.
Saine also highlighted the importance of protecting small pelagic species, particularly Yaboy (sardinella), which he described as vital to food security and nutrition for thousands of households in the sub-region.
The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by fisheries stakeholders in The Gambia and Senegal to promote sustainable management of shared resources and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Participants agreed on the need for continued dialogue and closer collaboration to protect fisheries resources that provide livelihoods for coastal communities across the sub-region.