By Yunus S Saliu
A weeklong sensitization program on expanding the oyster management plan conducted by the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters for the oyster harvesters in the North Bank Region (NBR) was concluded over the weekend.
The sensitization exercise on expanding the oyster management plan for oyster harvesters was sponsored by the EU Sector Support Program, the exercise involved meetings and visits of twenty oyster harvesters’ communities in the region. The communities included were Barra, Essau, Madina Kanuma, Mbankam, Bakindiki Koto, Lewna, Ginak Kajate, Ginak Nijjie, Santangkoto, Toubakolong, Mbantang Kiling, Albreda, Sika Mbanta, Sami Tenda, Memmeh, Bafuloto, Karantaba, Bakang, Tambana, and Darsilameh.
The meeting focus was on engaging and catering to the needs of oyster communities situated in the North Bank Region, to foster and enhance environmental stewardship, biological sustainability, and socio-economic upliftment.
However, these meetings stemmed from the recognition of the importance of incorporating the perspectives and knowledge of the local stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the sensitization meetings allowed the Department of Fisheries to gather valuable insights into the socio-economic significance of oyster harvesting and the challenges faced by the communities residing in this region during open and closed oyster season.
Babanding Kanyi, Head of the Inspectorate Unit at the Department of Fisheries assured of cohesion among the communities when the management plan is prepared and implemented.
“There’ll be unity in the communities. Management committees will be formed, such as the oyster management committee in each community. In each oyster harvesting community, they’ll have an oyster management committee. They will also have a community-based management committee, where the alkalolou, the VDC, and the oyster harvesters will be part of. So there’ll be two community committees in each committee community, so those communities will also be responsible for surveillance as people come from the neighboring country, cross into their sites to harvest their belong without their knowledge,” he explained in detail.
He added that there will be a consensus that all the people will agree regarding the opening and close of the season which will be respected.
Meanwhile, during the meetings, one of the oyster harvesters, Fatou Senghore from Medina Kanuma village expressed some of their challenges and wants the Department of Fisheries to take a great look at the issue of open and closed seasons of harvesting oysters in the region saying many of the harvesters do not abide by the rule.
Also, she appealed to the Department of Fisheries to put a law in place to guide and help them to work together while suggesting that the commencement of harvesting of oysters could be in December so that some members can have money to solve their financial issues during the Yuletide period.
Lamin Janneh from Mbankam village is also an oyster harvester, he applauded the department for visiting their oyster sites and for bringing them together for the management plan sensitization program.
He alluded to other speakers saying they always have intruders visiting the oyster sites in the region and most of these intruders come from neighboring countries.
Like others, he urged the Ministry of Fisheries to put in place a strong law to control the situation.
Lamin Keita, a staff of Parks and Wild Life commended the department while assuring the harvesters of their fullest support when the management plan is ready.