In the Gambia, activities of  fish retailers are limited by the availability of some major facilities including sophisticated storage and selling facilities.

This used to leave them at the mercy of their partners (those who sell ice blocks) in order to keep their fish afresh for a day or two. Over the years, there has been a ton of talk about fisheries management and the repercussions we all face as recreational angler as a result of post harvest loses. This used to frustrate many fishermen and retailers especially when there is acute shortage in this popular product (ice block) to keep their fish fresh.

It is believed that operations are expected to start at the 5-million dollar (about one hundred million dalasi) Brikama Fish Market project early this week. The project is being sponsored by the Japanese Government as part of a bilateral cooperation between the governments of The Gambia and Japan under the Japanese Government Grant Aid. It is awaited with anticipation that the project makes fish easily available and affordable to the average Gambian whose main supply of food and protein is fish.

The 3,381m2  size facility, if adequately utilised, will in no small measure reduce the rate of post harvest losses in our fisheries sector hence the availability of ice and chill rooms for storage. This will of course enable Gambians to fend fresh and good-quality fish in a hygienic environment and ensure stable supplies and reduce variations in prices of fish and fishery products in the distribution process.

Many beneficiaries from Sanyang and Brikama told the Fisheries column on Sunday that they are optimistic that the facility will likely address recreational fishing issues by  creating room for a closer collaboration between the Fisheries department and the coastal community members and to make sure that they make input on the direction of the facility. They also expressed optimism that an intimate discussion between the beneficiaries and the management of the market will be prioritised for effective implementation of the project. However, to move forward in sustaining the facility, there is still more need for improvement.

Hopefully, as fisheries management policies are written, it is hoped that the Fisheries department and the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters as well as other government agencies will now have in place strong mechanical work tolls for the sustainable management of the facility and to sternghten the existing management policies. A woman fish retailer in Brikama said she once wanted to quit the fish business because of the loses.