Serrekunda — The director of the fisheries department, Nfamara Dampha, and the Armed Forces spokesperson, Lt. Omar Bojang, have both reacted to claims made by some fishermen who were recently arrested by the Navy.

Five fishermen in Lamin were arrested on the 11th October while they were in the sea fishing. According to them, the people who arrested them identified themselves as Navy personnel on patrol at sea.

Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday, Edrisa Conteh, a fisherman who was among those arrested by the Navy, said he saw personnel of the Navy early Sunday morning while he was returning to shore after a fishing trip.

He said four of his colleagues were arrested by the Navy personnel who seized their boats and fishing nets.

He added, "When I wanted to communicate with my colleagues, they started asking me whether I have life jackets. Before I answered any of the questions posed to me, they asked me to join my colleagues. They were with Guns and I knew that they came from the Navy, so we were all escorted to the Ports Authority."

Mr. Conteh said they were later taken to the Banjul Police Station where they were detained for two days. He said they sent word to their people at home to come and bail them. "When our people came, they were directed to the fisheries department for the officials there to come and measure our fishing nets. When the official from the fisheries department arrived , we were all escorted to the Ports Authority complex and after measuring the nets, we were informed that our nets were not appropriates for fishing and that such nets were banned by the State. We were escorted back to the cell where we were detained."

He indicated that they were told that they committed a serious crime and that they should be bailed".

Conteh said from that day, they keep on going to Banjul Police Station to report.

He said they were later given a paper and were informed that a fine of D2,500 is imposed on them. He concluded by telling this reporter that up till today their boats and nets are being seized by the Navy and that they are not working these days. He said he relies on fishing to feed his family.

Emma Gibba also a fisherman in Lamin, said it is normal for licences to be paid to the authorities, noting that even the officials from the Tourism Department do go to them to collect licence fees. He said anytime payment for operating licence is due, an official from the Tourism Department would go to Lamin Lodge and remind them of the payments.

Mr. Gibba said, "But the Navy did not inform us anything. We just saw them one early morning and they said we did not settle our fees and our nets are not good. Some of my friends were arrested and detained at the Banjul Police Station".

Mr. Gibba added that the kind of nets they are using for fishing is the only kind they can use.

He remarked, "If they feel that is not good, they should provide us with the good ones or even show us the sample, we will really appreciate that.

Ebrima Sabally a fisherman in Lamin and other fishermen in the area also made similar comments.

The public relations officer for the Gambia Armed Forces Lt. Omar Bojang told this reporter that the NAVY is responsible for guarding the territorial waters of the Gambia. He said he is aware that fishing nets used by the fishermen have different diametres; that the fishermen sometimes use inappropriate nets and if the NAVY is aware of this unlawful act, they have all rights to arrest those people.

Bojang said, "The NAVY conducts patrols to stop illegal fishing and dumping of toxics substances in the territorial waters. They also try to see whether fishermen observe safety precautions at sea, if they lack these materials needed for their own safety, then the NAVY will arrest them and hand them over to the police."

The Armed Forces Spokesperson said the fisheries department will be contacted to conduct their usual measurements. Mr. Bojang continued to say, "They were operating without licenses and observed no safety precautions, this is not safe. The NAVY is also responsible for saving lives at sea."

PRO Bojang said he hopes that if these fishermen settle their fines, their canoes will be given back to them, but the nets will remain with the fisheries department because they have been seized.

Nfamara Dampha, Director General of the fisheries department told this reporter that he is aware of the arrest of the fishermen in Lamin. He said the fisheries department introduced a new law which states that fishermen are not allowed to use nets that have holes that exceed a certain size. He said they were sensitized on the issue but some fisherfolk are still using the wrong nets. He added, "Some of them have started paying their fines. They are paying 2,500. Our official measurement for nets is 70mm for fish. If you are found with nets less than this measurement, the NAVY has all rights to arrest them".

He advised the fishermen in Bakau to minimize their catches as they do not have large smoking facilities. Mr. Dampha ended by saying that plans are on the way to provide more smoking facilities and cold stores for the Bakau fishermen.