Co-management plan for Foni cockle and oyster harvesters

18 April 2025 – Rome/Banjul – With the endorsement of a co-management plan, cockle harvesters in The Gambia’s Foni region now have a say in how their resources are managed. The plan marks a breakthrough in sustainable fisheries governance and women’s empowerment in The Gambia. 

The cockle and oyster co-management plan promotes sustainable and inclusive management of shellfish resources, placing women at the center of conservation efforts, while boosting food security and reducing poverty in local communities.  

It was spearheaded by the global aquatic value chain development programme FISH4ACP in partnership with the TRY Oyster Women’s Association. The plan follows the revision of a co-management plan for the Tanbi wetlands in September 2024, aimed at making oyster harvesting more sustainable while preserving mangrove ecosystems. 

“Today, we are proud to have contributed to the development of the Foni oyster and cockle co-management plan. It shows tangible progress in our commitment to sustainable fisheries governance in The Gambia,” said Shibu Rampedi, FAO representative in The Gambia. 

The plan offers a new way forward for women harvesting shellfish to earn an income and support their families. A lack of structured management has hampered their efforts, exposing them to poverty, dwindling resources, and environmental degradation.  

TRY will lead the implementation of the plan which emphasizes local leadership, sustainability, and inclusive governance. “Through our guidance, these women are now leading efforts to preserve their own resources,” said TRY’s Chief Executive Officer Fatou Janha. 

“This plan gives us direction, voice, and ownership,” said Isatou Jatta, the president of one of the associations formed to improve participation and ownership. “It will guide us in managing and protecting our oyster resources through shared decision-making.” 

Isaac Okyrie, a representative of the West Africa Shellfish Hub, said that The Gambia was the first country in West Africa to develop a co-management plan, explaining that it has influenced other countries to follow suit. 

The Foni oyster and cockle co-management plan is part of FISH4ACP’s broader mission to enhance the productivity and sustainability of the mangrove oyster value chain in The Gambia to improve food security and incomes of female producers. 

FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).