Fishermen and fish dealers at the Gunjur fisherises centre in Kombo South, Western Region, are in upbeat mood and expectant of huge catches, during this year's rainy season. This means that there would be a corresponding increase in revenue, for all the participants - from fishermen to fish vendors.

According to some fishermen who spoke to the Daily Observer at the site, swarms of fish of different kinds usually assemble near the shore to lay eggs.

Modou Jatta, a fisherman, said the total quantity of catch drops drastically during the dry season, which usually comprises small fishes.

In the rainy season, Jatta continued, fish swim towards the shore, which makes fishing less of a burden to them.

Buba Ceesay, a fisherman, said the sea is calm during the rainy season, especially when it is raining. "During this period, we can catch the best fish for our middlemen and women, who sell them to the villages, towns and hotels," Ceesay said.

Lamin Jabang, another fisherman, bemoaned the lack of sufficient storage facilities for their catch, as there are only two stores at the centre, which cannot meet the demand.

Mr Jabang urged the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources to come to their aid, as more than 1/3 of the population rely on fish.

He described the road network that links the Gunjur fisheries centre to the main highway as deplorable, especially during the rainy season. He also appealed to the government, through the state department to improve the road.    

Our reporter who was at the beach on Wednesday, also spoke to a group of women and middlemen, who attested that fish would not be a problem during the rainy season. However, they expressed fear that distribution of supplies to the surrounding satellite villages might be stymied by inaccessibility, mainly caused by poor road conditions.