Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement in the Gambia (PROREFISH Gambia)

The fishery sector in Gambia is facing numerous challenges from climate change impacts. Communities across the country rely heavily on the Gambia river for their source of income, including artisanal fisheries which is the backbone of the livelihoods for vulnerable and rural poor communities. The artisanal fishery sector provides jobs and gives access to nutrient and protein rich diets. However, because of climate change impacts, these local livelihoods are threatened. Climate change is affecting both marine, coastal, and riverine fisheries, damaging fishery infrastructure (e.g., landing sites), and increasing the salinity and acidity levels that impacting the range and availability of fish species.   The project aims to support vulnerable and poor fishing communities in building resilience to climate change and in diversifying livelihoods through technology improvements, processing techniques, climate-proofing of the local fishery infrastructure, and diversification of local food systems.