Nine Day Port Inspection Training Underway in Banjul
The Department of Fisheries has kick started a nine day training for Fisheries Inspectors and Gambia Navy officers in Port Inspection Procedures on Monday 26 February 2024. The main objective of the training is to strengthen the capacities of trainees for the purpose of effective implementation of the FAO 2009 Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to prevent, deter, eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Officially opening the training, the Director of Fisheries Anna Mbenga said The Gambia is a signatory to the FAO 2009 PSMA since July 2016 and continue to benefit from it through trainings. She pointed out that these trainings contribute to human capacity development for the implementation of Port State Measures. The director said through the framework of agreement the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance unit of the Department of Fisheries together with a consultant from FAO developed nine (9) Standard Operating Procedures accompanied with templates as guiding tools for the implementation of the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures.
The training will be intensive, and it is designed to enhance your skills,…with the view of selecting trainers to replicate the knowledge gained to your colleagues who are not privileged to be part,…,” the director said. She noted that the training has indicated key elements if understood, would greatly impact the performances of the trainees on port inspection.
The German government and partners were applauded for their support to the training by the director of the Department of Fisheries.