A basis for sound intervention is an understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the fisheries post-harvest sub-sector in the country.

According to information gathered by the Fisheries column, the SWOT analysis has been conducted based on the previous sections of the overview. The SWOT analysis is said to be followed by a set of guiding principles for future intervention.

Strengths
The post-harvest sector's contribution to the achievement of national development objectives, particularly in the area of employment, poverty reduction and food security are quite sufficient.

Employment is provided for a wide diversity of people in different areas; many of those opportunities have low entry requirements in terms of capital, skills, information and nationality.

The fisheries sub-sector is labour intensive thus providing employment for many poor people within the country; and is not gender bias. However, more women are involved in this sector than any other sector in the Gambia's economy. Women who are marginalised in other sectors except crop based tilling of the land and the extensive trading practices of these women do not only foster links between them, but also enable them to engage in the trade of other food products from different parts of the country.

The diversity of spices available and the different processing methods used produce a wide range of fish products that can satisfy the needs of many groups of people. There is high and increasing demand for fish at both local and regional levels as well as the rest of the world, proving ranges of outlets for products and reducing market risks.

Whilst fish generally plays a key role in food security in all parts of the country, some fish play specific role in the food security of the poor consumers example smoked and dried pelagic which provide a source of all-year round cheap food.   

Weaknesses
Virtually sixty-five per cent of the Gambia population are understood to be generally poor. There is lack of detailed understanding of the poverty rate in the post-harvest fishery sector, both in terms of those employed within the sector and poor consumers of fish. There is also limited capacity to deal with poverty related issues within the sector.

Women who are working in the linkages between groups are not strong and do not translate into a coordinated national body. There is no information on the contribution of the sub-sector in the economy nor is it reflected in the statistics, since most of the trades are not recorded.

There is no data on the number of people involved in the sector and the type of trade they are engaged in since most of the trade occurs through the informal channel, and it is currently difficult to effectively monitor and provide an accurate account of the nature and extent of the trade.