The Gambia has received Norwegian government assistance to the tune of US$ 13 million, to strengthen an ecosystem approach to marine and
fisheries management development in the country.
The signing of the agreement took place Wednesday at the Ministry of Forestry an d Environment, where Dr. Babagana Ahmadu, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO ) representative in the Gambia signed on behalf of donor FAO while Momodou Kotu C h am, Gambian Minister for Forestry and Environment signed on behalf of the govern m ent.
Ahmadu said the long-term objective of the EAF-Nansen project is to provide fish eries research institutions and management administrations in participating coun t ries with additional knowledge on their ecosystem for use in planning and monito r ing for further acceptance of the key principles of the EAF.
According to him, the project is a partnership between the government of Norway, the Institute of Marine Research, the African coastal countries and FAO.
He disclosed that activities planned under the ecosystem approach of fisheries E AF-Nansen project are intended to help all the participating countries to honour
their pledge and commitment towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development ( WSSO) target on the implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries.
Cham, on behalf of the Gambian government, commended FAO for considering the cou ntry.
