News and Events

The Gambia Launches Sardinella and Bonga Fisheries Management Plan and reveals EAF-Nansen Phase II support project

• July 3rd, 2026
• Mr. Modou Kanteh. Communications Officer

The Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters today officially launched The Gambia’s Sardinella and Bonga Fisheries Management Plan and revealed the main elements for support to its upcoming implementation through the EAF-Nansen Programme Phase II,  marking a major milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainable  fisheries management that is science based and consistent with the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)..

The event, held at the SDK Conference Centre in Banjul, brought together senior government officials, fisheries institutions, fishing community representatives, development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector.

The Fisheries Management Plan was developed with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the EAF-Nansen Programme, funded by the Government of Norway. In a new Phase, the EAF-Nansen Programme will support the implementation of the Plan for 18 months.

Sardinella and bonga are vital to nutrition, food security, livelihoods and the national economy. Sardinella are shared fish stocks that migrate across Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, and also bonga is distributed along the Northwest African region, and thus their effective management requires strong national action and regional cooperation. The Fisheries Management Plan forms part of broader national and regional efforts under the EAF-Nansen Programme to sustainably manage fisheries on these shared resources. At the national level, the Programme supports the four above countries in developing and implementing Fisheries Management Plans and strengthening scientific and institutional capacities. At the regional level, it promotes collaboration among the four countries within the framework of the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) and Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) through joint scientific assessments, policy dialogue, joint management actions and knowledge sharing.

Speaking at the official launch, the Honourable Minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters Hon. Musa Drammeh, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to responsible fisheries governance.

“Today, we reaffirm The Gambia’s commitment to managing our fisheries responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations," the minister said. He highlighted that this Fisheries Management Plan provides a practical roadmap for sustainable use of these shared small pelagic resources while safeguarding food security, employment, and economic opportunities for the coastal communities”.

The Ministry called for strong national and international contributions to ensure the effective implementation of the Plan.

The FAO Representative in The Gambia, Ms. Shibu Rampedi, commended the Government’s leadership and highlighted the importance of sustained partnership.

“Today’s launching of this fisheries management plan demonstrates what can be achieved through strong national leadership and sustained partnership," Ms. Rampedi said. The FAO representative in The Gambia “praised” the support that   the EAF-Nansen Programme, funded by the Government of Norway and implemented by FAO, has provided to The Gambia in developing a science-based and participatory Fisheries Management Plan, aligned with the ecosystem approach to fisheries, for its shared sardinella and bonga resources. “We remain committed to accompanying the Government and all stakeholders as they translate this plan into concrete actions that strengthen nutrition, food security, protect marine ecosystems and improve the livelihoods of fishing communities” she said.

The EAF-Nansen Phase II national support project, titled “Support for the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries for the management of shared sardinella stocks in The Gambia,” will focus on two main areas: strengthening scientific advice for fisheries management and supporting science-to-policy dialogue and operational management.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, transparent and science-based fisheries governance and invited all stakeholders to actively support the implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan.

The official launch represents not only the adoption of a management framework, but also the beginning of a coordinated national effort to secure healthy fish stocks, resilient fishing communities and sustainable economic development for future generations.

About the Sardinella and Bonga Fisheries Management Plan (Media Pitch)

The Sardinella and Bonga Fisheries Management Plan provides the strategic framework for the sustainable management of The Gambia’s small pelagic fisheries. It promotes science-based decision-making, stakeholder participation, ecosystem conservation and regional cooperation.

About the EAF-Nansen Programme

The EAF-Nansen Programme is a long-standing partnership between the Government of Norway, FAO and participating countries. It supports partner countries in implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries through improved scientific knowledge, strengthened governance and sustainable management of marine resources.

In The Gambia, the Programme has supported the development of the Sardinella and Bonga Fisheries Management Plan, strengthened fisheries data collection and scientific assessments, built institutional capacity, and continues to support implementation through the EAF-Nansen Phase II national project.