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FAO is continuing its assistance provided to The Gambia in drafting new legislation to incorporate key international obligations related to the effective implementation of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and complementary international instruments to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

An in-country mission was carried out from 7 to 15 April 2025 during which FAO facilitated the organization of a national stakeholder consultation, hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, on the draft legislation in preparation. The stakeholder consultation is a legal requirement and a necessary step in the national law-making process.  

Participants included representatives from civil society organizations, fisheries associations as well as key public institutions such as the Gambia Ports Authority, the Gambia Maritime Administration, the Gambia Navy, the Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly.

The overall goal of this step was to present the draft legislation to stakeholders and gather their feedback and input. Participants discussed each new provision and agreed on changes to be reflected in the proposed legislation. A roadmap was also agreed upon with the objective of validating the draft legislation in the next weeks.

This mission in The Gambia was possible as a result of the capacity development “Port State Measures Support Project” funded by Germany. The project supports capacity development initiatives in developing States to assist them to be in a better position to implement international instruments to combat IUU fishing, including provisions of the PSMA.