Mangrove oyster is a commercially important mollusk harvested from mangrove areas in several countries along the West African coast, including The Gambia. The Tanbi Wetlands National Park at the mouth of the Gambia River is one of the main Gambian oyster production areas.

Oysters are mostly harvested by women from mangrove roots at low tide. They are cooked before the meat is removed from the shell and supplied to both local and regional markets. The lack of a national shellfish sanitation programme hampers access to international markets.

FISH4ACP aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the mangrove oyster sector in the Gambia, because of its potential to improve food security and incomes for rural communities, while increasing exports, creating jobs and stimulating investment. 

Added value can be achieved by improving market access and developing oyster culture, which is likely to generate employment for poor women from marginalized communities in particular.

FISH4ACP will work to increase the production of small-scale producers and strengthen the role of women and youth, while seeking to improve safety and workers’ rights. It will also support efforts to optimise the utilization of byproducts from oyster processing.