By Fatou Jonga
Fish is a major source of protein and plays a crucial role in the human body.
According to Trade for Development News, an average Gambian eats around 29 kilograms of fish every year more than the world average of 20kg.
Fish is caught off the country’s continental shelf of about 4,000 square kilometers, including a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone as well as in The River Gambia, which runs through the country.
Varieties of fish like bonga, round and flat sardinella and other small pelagic fishes are consumed locally or within the region.
Higher-value varieties like sole, snappers, shrimp, cuttlefish, octopus and oysters, feed into a small but important export-oriented segment of the fishing industry.
In its article “In The Gambia, Sustainable Fishing, a Lifeline economy under water” Trade for Development News stated that Fish-related activities are the main source of income for communities living near the coastline. The sector supports the livelihoods of more than 200,000 people and is particularly important to women who make up 80 percent of fish processors and half of small-scale fish traders.
Aside the nutritious value, fishing has been a major source of income for many families in The Gambia especially around the Greater Banjul Area.
However, the Gambian fishing industry is dominated by foreigners. Gambians are largely consumers and partly retailers of fish marketing. In spite of the paucity of Gambian fishers, one inspirational youth who has decided to break the stereotype by venturing into fishing, has highlighted the benefits of fishing and encouraged his fellow youths to undertake fishing as a trade.
Gambia Daily caught up with Malick Sonko at Bakau seaside, where he explained his motivation to venture into fishing.
He said he has been in the business for many years and it has been his major source of income and has business partners.
“Fishing is a good trade. In addition to serving as food; it comes with lots of income, opportunities and benefits to the society. It is the best employment opportunity for youths, easy to learn and it contributes to the growth of the economy as well,’’ he said.
While affirming that foreigners form the majority in the fishing business, Mr Sonko urges Gambian youths to engage in the business, describing it as one of the best job opportunities in The Gambia.
