The Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,
Fabakary Tombong Jatta,
National Assembly of The Gambia
Dear Mr. Speaker,
We write to you with utmost urgency and respect, drawing your attention to the impending environmental catastrophe unfolding in The Gambia’s waters. As you are aware, our country’s marine resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Gambians and the very fabric of our ecosystem.
As highlighted in our recent article, “Disaster in Gambian Seas: An Aquatic Environmental Catastrophe Unfolding,” the statistics are alarming: over 75% of our fish stocks are overexploited or depleted, affecting approximately 300,000 people who rely on fishing for their survival.
Mr. Speaker, this is a clarifying moment for our nation. Under your leadership, the National Assembly has a historic opportunity to take bold action and protect The Gambia’s marine resources for future generations. Your commitment to this cause will be your enduring legacy, and the people of The Gambia will be forever grateful.
We urge the National Assembly to take immediate action:
1. Nullify all current agreements with foreign trawlers and impose a moratorium on fishing in Gambian waters without exception.
2. Conduct a comprehensive review of our sea resources with the assistance of the European Union.
3. Develop and implement robust regulations to prevent overfishing and protect our marine ecosystem.
As the National Assembly makes laws, and the President accedes to them, this is your moment to act, Mr. Speaker. We implore you to seize this opportunity to safeguard The Gambia’s future.
We are confident that, together, we can ensure a sustainable future for our nation. We stand ready to support your efforts in this critical endeavor.
Yours sincerely,
Musa Bassadi Jawara
Economist & Author
CC: Members of the National Assembly, The Gambia
