Gambia-Senegal Sustainable Fisheries Project Year 3: Semi-Annual Report

Agency for International Development (USAID)/West Africa Regional Mission. The project is implemented through the University of Rhode Island (URI)-USAID cooperative agreement on Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems (SUCCESS). The World Wide Fund West Africa Marine EcoRegional Program is a regional implementing partner. The project focuses on sustainable fisheries management, including shared marine and coastal resources between The Gambia and Senegal. In West Africa, an estimated 1.5 million tons of fish are harvested annually from the region's waters, with a gross retail value of US$1.5 billion. Artisanal fisheries in The Gambia and Senegal make up a majority of the fisheries landings and contribute significantly to income generation and local food security for coastal communities. Some 200,000 people in The Gambia and 600,000 in Senegal are directly or indirectly employed in the fishing sector. Seafood products are a leading export of the region and generate as much as 20% of the gross value of exports. The project contributes directly to the achievement of the USAID West Africa Regional Office's Environment & Climate Change Response (ROECCR) Results Framework through contributions to multiple Intermediate Results. The project's activities are carried out in partnership with the Department of Fisheries (DoFish) and stakeholders in the fisheries sector in The Gambia and in Senegal. Implementation of a bilateral Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment is being conducted by WWF in Year 3. URI is working directly with local partners TARUD and GAMWORKS to implement WASH activities beginning in Year 3. Progress made in the first six months of Year 3 (October 1 - March 31, 2012) includes effective sole fishery co-management plan and support for MSC certification readiness. The project has made significant progress in developing a sole fishery co-management plan, which is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fishery. The plan has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders, including fishermen, government officials, and other interested parties. The project has also made progress in developing an oyster and cockle co-management plan. This plan aims to promote sustainable management of the oyster and cockle fisheries, which are critical components of the marine ecosystem. The plan has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders, including fishermen, government officials, and other interested parties. In addition to the development of co-management plans, the project has also made progress in implementing water and sanitation activities. The project has installed water and sanitation facilities in several communities, which has improved the health and well-being of local residents. The project has also provided training to local residents on the importance of water and sanitation and how to maintain these facilities. The project has also made progress in assessing the cross-border trade in sole. This assessment has provided valuable insights into the current state of the sole fishery and has identified areas for improvement. The project has also made progress in conducting a bilateral climate change vulnerability assessment, which has identified areas where the project can make a positive impact in reducing the vulnerability of the fisheries sector to climate change. Overall, the project has made significant progress in the first six months of Year 3. The project's activities have contributed to the achievement of multiple Intermediate Results, and the project is on track to meet its goals and objectives.