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Momodou
Denmark
11831 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 21:27:21
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Minority Leader Calls For Stringent Measures Against Foreign Fishing Vessels
By Abdou Jeli Keita
Honourable Momodou Lamin Sanneh, on Tuesday 4 September, 2007, called for very stringent measures against foreign fishing vessels. His comment came in the wake of the introduction of “the new Fisheries Bill 2007” by the SoS for fisheries, Honourable Yankuba Touray.
Honourable Sanneh said The River Gambia is such an important institution that it should not be allowed to be exploited by illegal foreign fishing vessels that continue to fish in the river and take away what should benefit the country. As regards this new bill, he said there should be monitoring and control measures that would usher in stringent measures against any foreign vessel that enters into our territorial waters. He added that the bill should not only stop at being ratified by the National Assembly, but that there should be a very strong team that will monitor and control our territorial waters. He said passing the Fisheries Bill when proper measures are not put in place will mean that foreign vessels will continue to exploit the country’s most vital resource.
The minority leader said the present fisheries committee members comprise mainly of directors. He urged that some of the local fishermen with vast knowledge in fishing should be incorporated into the committee so that their ideas can be utilisd. He added that being a Gambian does not mean that one can hire foreign vessels from abroad, bring it into our territorial waters and do fishing with non-Gambians for one’s personal interest. He said this is not fair, adding that any Gambian who intends to hire foreign vessels should consider employing Gambians so that any fish species caught could be reported to the ministry concern.
He concluded that this is very important and timely and it needs a speedy implementation.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 110/2007, 19 -20 September 2007
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