𝐂𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐆 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Gunjur Conservationists & Ecotourism Association (CETAG), through its Bottom Trawling (TBT) Advocacy Project, on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, held an awareness-raising campaign in Gunjur to strengthen community understanding and advocacy around the socio-economic and environmental impacts of bottom trawling.

Participants at the CETAG bottom trawling awareness campaign session

The awareness session brought together representatives of fishing communities, fisherfolk, women fish processors, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges posed by bottom trawling and the importance of protecting The Gambia’s marine resources.

Mr Ahmed Manjang served as the resource person for the session, leading discussions on key issues surrounding bottom trawling.

Topics covered included the socio-economic and socio-cultural impacts of bottom trawling, its effects on the marine environment, as well as the Fisheries Act and relevant fisheries regulations. Particular attention was given to the current nine-nautical-mile fishing zone.

Resource person, Ahmed Manjang led the discussion of the bottom trawling and the socio-economic impact of this activity

Participants also shared their experiences, concerns and perspectives on how fishing activities, including bottom trawling, affect artisanal fishing communities, fish availability, livelihoods and the wider coastal ecosystem.

The campaign forms part of CETAG’s ongoing TBT Advocacy Project, which seeks to increase public awareness, strengthen community participation and promote stronger advocacy for sustainable fisheries management and the protection of artisanal fishing livelihoods.

CETAG emphasised that meaningful engagement with fishing communities and other stakeholders is essential to building a shared understanding of the challenges facing the fisheries sector and supporting responsible management of The Gambia’s marine resources.

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The organisation expressed appreciation to all participants, resource persons, community representatives, partners and members of the media who contributed to the success of the awareness campaign.

CETAG said continued collaboration and community participation will be critical to protecting marine resources, strengthening artisanal fisheries and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.