By Nicholas Bass
Fishermen in Tanji village, West Coast Region bemoaned the cost of fuel which has affected their business.
Alasan Jobe, a Senegalese fisherman in Tanji fishing center said fishes are very rich in protein, it keeps person strong and healthy, but quickly stated problems fishermen are facing at the course of fishing.
In his explanation he said they are encountering illegal fishing boats along the river Gambia these illegal fishermen are using big fishing boats which do damage their nets and boats. In such they should be compensated for destroying their nets and boats but these illegal fishermen sometimes deny them of their compensations, he lamented.
Speaking on a daily harvest of fishes, he said high and low harvest of fishes depends on the weather which also determines the type of fish which are likely to be in high quantity in the markets.
According to him, the fish without scales like Clingfish, catfish, and shark family fish are easy to catch during the hot weather due to heat in the waters which will make them move freely for survival. As a result of this, these type fishes are in large quantity in our markets during the hot weather, he noted.
In cold weather, he said fish with scales that are also in large quantity include crappie, snapper, cobia, channel catfish and walleye. He stressed that, fishermen cover some miles and meters deep into the river for a good catch of different types of fish both in the cold and hot weathers. “This also cost us over D5000 before we can make good catch of fish.” As a result of this, it affects the price of fish in the market due to high cost of fuel, he claimed.
Answering, the question of how many Gambians is into fishing, he said in every fishing boat that consists of ten Senegalese there is always five Gambians. He also stated that, there are Gambian boat Captains and boat owners who are fully involved in fishing. He also noted that Tanji Fishing Center is not dominated by Senegalese fishermen but it comprises of Gambians and Senegalese who are working hand-in-glove in the fishing industry.
He pleaded to the government of the Gambia to take a step against illegal fishermen who are causing a great problem in the river Gambia.
Musa Joof, a Gambian boat Captain said many times he had spent over D20,000 in fishing but had a very poor harvest of fish. He also disclosed that fishing is risky coupled with high cost of fuel.
Inspector of Police office, Fotou Camara stationed in Tanji mobile traffic unit also expressed that petty traders should avoid selling beside road to avoid accidents saying she has registered five fatal accidents which one life was lost within three months. She too pleaded to the Gambian government to create a market for these traders in Tanji Fishing Center to avoid fatal accidents.