Under NBP leadership, fishing will be elevated from an informal or survival activity into a formally recognized trade profession, worthy of respect and rewards. To achieve this goal, the NBP will ensure the following:

• Offer special privileges, protections and economic benefits to Gambian citizens who register and practice fishing as their full-time trade;
• Create a National Fishing Registry and also provide identity cards,  subsidies and microloans for registered fishermen and women;
• Providing fishing equipment assistance (e.g., nets, boats, engines, cold storage units) through cooperative schemes and local support offices;
  
  

This approach will help deter over-reliance on foreign operators, reduce exploitation, and ensure that the profits of our waters stay in the hands of Gambians.

Integrating Fishing into the National Education System

To ensure a sustainable and modern fishing industry, the NBP will introduce fishing and marine education into the national school curriculum. This includes:

• Teaching students about marine ecology, sustainable fishing techniques, aquatic food chains and coastal resource management starting from primary levels;
• Introducing fishing entrepreneurship programs in secondary schools and vocational institutes to prepare youth for business ownership and careers in marine trades;
• Partnering with universities and international marine research institutions to promote marine science, aquaculture innovation, and conservation training.
  
  

This initiative will prepare a new generation of skilled, environmentally responsible Gambians who see fishing as a science-based, high-value economic sector.

Fish Market Modernization

To make seafood more accessible and to strengthen the value chain, the NBP will oversee the construction and modernization of fish markets across the country, with a focus on regional fish hubs in key fishing communities like Bakau, Tanji, Banjul, Sanyang, Barra, and inland towns near river systems.

These markets will operate under local government oversight thereby creating jobs, enhancing food availability and ultimately stimulating micro-businesses along the fisheries supply chain.

Protection of Gambian Waters and Fish Stocks

The NBP will take a bold stance to protect The Gambia’s waters from illegal and unregulated (IUU) fishing, especially by foreign industrial fleets. 

• To achieve this, the NBP will renegotiate and where necessary revoke  predatory foreign fishing agreements that disadvantage local fishermen.
• We will also Invest in coastal surveillance systems, patrol boats, and satellite monitoring to protect marine boundaries;
• The NBP will Establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and seasonal no-fishing zones to allow fish stocks to replenish naturally;
• Additionally, we will be working with international partners to track and sanction IUU fishing vessels that exploit Gambian waters.
  
  

With these efforts, The Gambia will begin to regain control over its maritime resources and reassert sovereignty in a sector vital to national survival.

Support for Fish Processing, Export, and Value-Added Products

The NBP will work to develop a domestic fish processing and export industry eventually reducing dependence on raw product exports and maximizing the value of Gambian seafood. Strategies include:

• Providing incentives for the creation of local fish drying, smoking, canning, and freezing businesses;
• Build aquaculture farms (fish farming) inland to complement natural fishing and improve food security year-round;
• Develop certification programs for export-grade fish products to meet international health and quality standards;

Launch a “Proudly Gambian Seafood” brand to promote local products in regional and global markets.