The Gambia: Country information

At independence in 1965 the Gambia inherited an economy relying on a single commodity - groundnuts - and an inappropriate and unsustainable natural resource management strategy.

Successive governments have sought to diversify the economic base, and tourism is now one of the fastest growing sectors, superseding the re-export trade which had previously generated most revenue. But the Gambia's dependence on such a narrow economic base makes it vulnerable to shocks, such as the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York which caused tourism revenue to plummet.

The economy is also dependent on rainfall. Surface water is important for agricultural production in the Central River and Upper River Division. Ground water is used for domestic and horticultural production through bore holes or shallow wells. Water resources are threatened by salinisation and pollution as a result of population pressure.

Fisheries and aquaculture
The Gambia's salt and fresh waters have abundant and diverse resources. It has a total continental shelf area of 3855 sq. km on the Atlantic Ocean in one of the richest fishing zones of the world. Species present include pelagic and demersal fish, as well as crustaceans and shellfish. With a theoretical annual MSY of 65,000 - 75,000 MT and estimated annual exploitation of around 45,000 MT, the fisheries resources are believed to be under-exploited.

The fisheries sub-sector is both industrial and artisanal, with the latter accounting for about two thirds of the total catch. Marine fish resources are enhanced by the freshwater flows of the River Gambia. Prolific mangrove growth supports thriving ecosystems and the brackish and freshwater zones of the middle and upper regions are also rich in crabs and shrimps, with great potential for aquaculture.

The River Gambia is one of the major rivers in West Africa and is navigable up to 390 km upstream. Studies by FAO suggest that there is high pressure on demersal fish stocks and the Government is trying to reduce fishing of these species. But pelagic fish are believed to be under-exploited as they are mainly caught by artisanal fishermen using gill nets and sold in urban markets.

Key constraints to the development of fisheries, especially artisanal fisheries, include post-harvest losses, weak extension and research systems and poor marketing infrastructure.