FISHERIES: Problems of aquaculture establishment in The Gambia

In The Gambia, one of the key problems faced by fish farmers is the emergence and spread of serious aquatic animal pathogens.

Intensive aquaculture practices tend to provide a platform for the emergence of pathogens, while global trade in aquatic animals and their products offer avenues for trans-boundary spread of pathogens. The risk of pathogen transfer is generally considered greater for movement of live aquatic animals than for movement of dead product. Irrespective of the disease risks involved, aquaculture and global trade will continue to intensify and expand.

Globally, capture and culture fisheries contribute significantly towards food security, poverty alleviation, economic development and supporting livelihoods. According to CV Morthan, an Asia-Pacific writer, a total of 140 million metric tonnes valued over US$ 80 billion global fish production was in excess of In 2004. Aquaculture contributes more than 45 per cent of global fish food consumption and is the fastest growing food-producing sector. The annual growth rate for aquaculture is 8-10 per cent compared to 3 per cent for livestock and 1.6 per cent for capture fisheries.

However, aquaculture is not much practiced in The Gambia, due to its expensiveness to establish along side the low financial standards of the people.