This report summarizes findings on the sustainability of development and management
actions in the Gunjur and Tanji Community Fisheries Centres (CFC) in The Gambia. The study
was undertaken in March 1994 by a multidisciplinary team, but preliminary work started one
year earlier. The principles of Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) and an assortment of tools
drawn from PRA were applied in the study to collect information on a number of parameters
involved in the sustainable management and development of artisanal fisheries, the evolution of
the CFC's and activities undertaken at the centres.
Gunjur and Tanji are two of the seven major coastal artisanal fishing communities in the
Gambia. Over the past 15 years, these sites have undergone profound changes through the aegis
of the Artisanal Fisheries Development Project (AFDP) with support from the EU. In 1979 when
AFDP was being contemplated it was envisaged that economic growth through the promotion of
the private sector, the reduction of poverty and the tackling of environmental problems would be
key elements in the development initiatives at the various fisheries centres to be established. A
number of facilities were therefore provided within the framework of CFC with the clear
understanding that these facilities and the CFCs would eventually be operated by the private
sector. Initially, management responsibilities of the centres were assumed by the Department of
Fisheries.
Gunjur village was the first fishing community to benefit from AFDP assistance in 1980.
Interventions in Tanji started much later in 1987. Both centres have facilities for handling, fish
processing, equipment maintenance and repairs, storage of equipment and fishing gear, as well as
for saving petty cash. There are at least five major user groups in each of the Centres. These are:
boat owners, men fish smokers, women fish smokers, fish driers and fish mongers or Banabanas.
These user groups and in particular the Men Fish Smokers Associations are examples of informal
sector micro-enterprises in fishing communities. Major activities at the centres are fishing, fish
smoking, fish drying and vegetable gardening.
In 1988, Fisheries Centre Management Committees (FCMC) were officially created. The
management of the CFC was the joint effort of FCMC and the Department of Fisheries. In 1992
the FCMC assumed full autonomy with two designated fisheries assistants serving as facilitators.
The FCMC is composed of representatives of all the different user groups and if necessary,
resource persons. At FCMC meetings, held at least once a month, incomes and expenditures as
well as future development of the centres are discussed.
Artisanal fisheries activities in Gunjur and Tanji CFCs are competitive productive
enterprises, as well as crucial sources of relatively cheap animal protein, employment and
incomes for both women and men. Both centres are relatively well organized and maintained and
the facilities on the whole, fully exploited on rental basis by individuals of centre user groups,
and others in the community. However, a few facilities such as the creche, altona ovens and iceplant
in Gunjur as well as the landing jetty in Tanji are reminders of misplaced priorities and
investment failures. The CFCs have become bustling poles of attraction for a variety of spin-off
activities. Private entrepreneurs operate premix fuel stations and outboard engines mechanic
workshops, restaurants and canteens and many petty traders are selling primary and basic