Over 60 oyster collectors from the Tanbi-wet recently benefitted from a two-day training on co-management.

The training, which was held  at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau brought together oyster collectors from fifteen communities, and was funded by the Fisheries Department. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Amadou Saine, deputising the minister of Fisheries,  said the significance of the training cannot be over-emphasised, noting that the sector is dominated by hardworking women.

He said his Ministry is happy to partner with Ba-Nafaa project in coming up with the management actions and measures that will ensure sustainable management of oyster with improved socio-economic benefit for the oyster harvesters. He commended Fatou Janha, who has over the years paid her valuable time and attention to the women oyster harvesters and mobilising them to eventually establish the Try Women Association (TWA). He also applauded the TWA  for expanding fifteen communities in the Tanbi wet land area. “The Association now has five hundred members.

The Ba-Nafaa project will team up with the TWA to build on what the Association has already started. The project will take on a comprehensive approach to the management of the oyster fisheries that will include ecological integrity as will as improve income-generating opportunities for the women  oyster harvesters,” he disclosed. Other speakers included the director of Fisheries, Famara Dampha, and the facilitator of the Ba-Nafaa project, Babanding Kanyi.