The Government of the Gambia through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on Tuesday, 22nd August 2023 launched a multi-million dollar project to avert Climate Change in the Fishery Sector.
The Project Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters (MoFWRNAM ), and FAO is set to benefit about 168,000 vulnerable women and men across the country.
“The Gambia fisheries sector is facing numerous challenges from climate change impacts including the threat to the livelihoods of the poor fisher folk, decreasing availability of fish as a main source of protein for the nutrition of Gambians,” Minister of Fisheries Hon. Musa Drammeh told the gathering at Sir Dawda Jawara Kairaba Conference Centre.
Minister Drammeh also said the project will directly support 167,634 vulnerable Gambians within the fisheries value chain, 52.4% of whom are women, to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
This he said will improve their livelihoods through climate-resilient aquaculture, climate-proofing of small-scale fisheries infrastructure, and through fisheries habitat restoration.
“I am convinced that this project will make a significant difference in the lives and livelihoods of the fisher folks in the fisheries communities particularly rural women.” He, therefore, assured his Ministry’s support and collaboration during the implementation of the project.
FAO Representative in the Gambia, Moshibudi Rampedi, “PROREFISH Gambia is a $25 million six-year initiative, the Green Climate Fund has granted USD17.2million and the Government of the Gambia through the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters and the Ministry of Agriculture will provide USD 7.8 million as co-finance,” she revealed.
She pointed out the project that the project will be a catalyst by offering best practices that can be replicated and scaled up in other countries dependent on fisheries for economic betterment as well as food and nutrition security.
The FAO Rep noted that the success of the project will be measured through increased resilience and enhanced livelihoods, increased resilience of infrastructure and built environment to climate change threats, improved resilience ecosystem, and reduced emissions from land use.
National Association of Artisanal Fisheries Operators, Secretary Dawda Foday Saine, expressed gratitude that the project considers sustainable fishing as crucial to maintaining healthy oceans and a stable food system.
“Transboundary and commercially exploited aquatic species, such the small pelagic, are important resources for our sub-region and require strengthened cooperation among different countries and stakeholders toward sustainable utilization of these resources.”
Other speakers include the Minister of Finance, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Permanent Secretary MoFWRNAM, and the GCCI CEO Rep.