Toward sustainable fisheries in the Gambia
Rising sea temperatures, acidification, deoxygenation and salinity coupled with overfishing, pollution and habitat degradation are taking a toll on the livelihoods of the Gambia’s fisherfolk. The sustainable management of fisheries and their ecosystems – including mangroves – and aquaculture is key to building climate resilience, more secure livelihoods and food security among these communities.
FAO worked closely with the country’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs to develop a USD 25 million sustainable fisheries project, known as PROREFISH, with USD 17.2 million in financing from the GCF and co-financing from IFAD, the government and FAO. The Centre led the project’s design in collaboration with FAO’s Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment and the FAO Representation in the Republic of Gambia. Nearly 168 000 Gambians stand to benefit from the six-year project.
The proposed adaptation responses are threefold. First, by upgrading the landing and processing infrastructure of current artisanal fisheries, the project hopes to reduce fish losses and wastage along the supply chain.
Second, the development of aquaculture production can help offset climate-induced decreases in capture fisheries. The project will introduce new technologies and techniques for aquaculture production, including oyster cultivation, rice-fish farming and organic fertilizers for farming and fish production.
Third, efforts will focus on restoring degraded mangrove forests, which are key breeding grounds and nurseries for many fisheries. Communities in ten strategic sites will be involved in mangrove forest restoration using a “sustainable ecosystem management” approach. This approach seeks to balance competing human needs and natural resources over the long term, with substantial impacts on the fish and shellfish ecosystems and livelihoods of riverine artisanal fishing communities. The restoration of up to 2350 hectares of mangrove forests is expected to sequester approximately 238 519 tonnes of CO2e, bringing mitigation co-benefits.
Capacity development activities are designed to enable Gambian decision-makers and artisanal fishing communities to regenerate ecosystems, climate-proof infrastructure and attract further investment and initiatives from development partners and the private sector. Women and girls are vital to the sector – particularly in shellfish harvesting, fish handling, processing and retaining. Yet, they are often marginalized and disadvantaged. The initiative will take a proactive approach to integrate women into decision-making processes and empower them to participate in the formal economy.