Fisheries

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The Gambia’s fisheries sector is internationally competitive as its marine and river waters are endowed with a multi-species fishery of high value demurrals, crustaceans, cephalopods and mollusks together with large quantities of pelagic (sardinella, red mullet, horse mackerel, cranx, shads, catfish, grunts, jacks, snappers etc). It has a continental shelf of 4,000 square kilometers and an Exclusive Economic (fishing) Zone (EEZ) of 19,500 square kilometers with an estimated fish yield of around 75,000 tonnes per annum and a current annual off-take of around 29,000 tonnes which is far less than the potential of the sector.

Comparative Advantages

  • The country has a liberalised economy and a unique geographical location making accessibility to markets in Europe, USA, Africa and Asia easy and faster by air and sea
  • Fishing can be carried out all year round
  • The EU-ACP Cotonu Agreement provides excellent opportunities for trade in seafood products.
  • Existing fishing companies with factories have vast experience in processing of value-added products and the modalities of international seafood marketing; many of them have already been certified according to EU import regulations and are capable of meeting the demands of prospective importers in Africa, Europe, Asia and the USA
  • Fishing vessels registered in The Gambia can easily obtain a license to operate in neighbouring Senegal through the reciprocal fishing agreement existing between the two countries. This will provide them with larger operating zones and better fishing prospects
  • Customs and Excise duties are not levied on exports of seafood products or on the imported capital equipment and packaging materials
  • Development of a fishing port

Investment Opportunities

  • Fish and shrimp farming,
  • Fish processing at industrial level – smoking, canning and export of fresh fish
  • Aquaculture
  • Provision of cold storage facilities
  • Building and repairs of fishing boats, vessels and trawlers
  • Financing/leasing of fishing vessels

Requirements

Fishing vessels licenses cannot be issued unless the vessels are registered. Every application for registration of fishing vessels should be;

  • Made by the owner of the vessel using the appropriate form
  • Addressed to the Director of Fisheries
  • Accompanied by the required registration fee

Interested potential investors could send in a detailed project document and all other requirements as indicated in the GIEPA Requirements page for consideration of the incentive package that we provide. Please find information on license fees for operating vessels in the Gambia. For more information about doing business in the fisheries sector and the legal requirements governing this sector please refer to the Fisheries Act, 2007 (No.6 of 2007)