Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources to establish a robust monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the Gambia–Senegal Fishing Agreement and other bilateral or commercial fishing arrangements involving The Gambia.
In its 2024 annual report submitted to the National Assembly, the Commission observed that the existing agreement between The Gambia and Senegal permits 250 Senegalese fishing vessels, ranging from 40-horsepower boats to industrial trawlers, to operate within Gambian waters.
The NHRC expressed concern that Article 1 of the agreement allows Senegalese fishermen to fish in Gambian waters without adequate oversight to ensure compliance. “While the agreement sets a limit on the number of Senegalese boats permitted, there is no effective monitoring mechanism in place to guarantee proper implementation,” the Commission stated.
Experts cited in the report warned that the provision under Article 1, which allows fishermen to land their catch in either country, disproportionately benefits Senegal, given its larger market and stronger purchasing power. This, they cautioned, puts Gambian consumers at a disadvantage and could worsen local fish scarcity.
The NHRC further noted that insufficient oversight and enforcement could lead to reduced fish availability for domestic consumption and loss of livelihood for Gambian fishmongers and fishing families, many of whom depend on the sector for survival.
The Commission urged the government to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure that future fishing agreements are guided by principles of sustainability, transparency, and equitable benefit-sharing.
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