Life Is Strange

~Life is strange, life is good, and life is all that it should be...~

The past couple of months have been eventful, weird, frustrating, fulfilling, and entertaining...nonetheless, life is good!

The Ba-Nafaa Project representatives from URI came for a visit at the end of September, and as always, it was really nice having them here.  I helped facilitate a Biostatistics Training Course, as a follow-up to the one we conducted this spring.  The participation and level of understanding was much better this time around.  Overall, it was a great experience.  

We also hosted a two-day Sole Fisheries Co-Management and Stock Assessment Workshop.  It was attended by various stakeholders such as local fishermen, women fish processors, fishing industry advocates, Department of Fisheries staffs, and even a member of the Navy.  Opening remarks were given by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, a U.S. Embassy representative, and the Director of International Programs from URI; all of which was taped and broadcasted by a local television station.  I gave two introductory presentations on Gathering Local Knowledge and Sole Fisheries By-Catch Assessment (they were translated into Woloof by a co-worker for those who did not understand English). And the participants elected the official Sole Fisheries Co-Management Committee and discussed the mission statement, objectives, committee structure and organization, and sole management plans.  It was really neat to be a part of this process and witness Gambians working together and problem-solving.  It was very moving.

The Inaugural Meeting for the Sole Fisheries Co-Management Committee was held a couple of weeks ago.  I am serving as a Technical Advisor for the Committee, so it's a good opportunity to listen, observe, and learn; but also contribute technical knowledge and skills.  

It was decided that the oyster research study and sole data collection activities I'm currently involved in will continue on through June and July of 2011, so I have continued to put a lot of my time and effort into this.

*off to look at oyster growth*

*our research vessel for the day*

*fisherman in my village that assists me in data collection*

In other news, my niece Sally Kunta turned 4-years old on October 18th.  We feasted on watermelon, boiled peanuts, chicken, and most importantly, birthday cake!  The family was overjoyed with all of this and it was neat to teach them a bit about how birthdays are celebrated in America.

All of the recent happenings have led me to conclude that my life is strange...

good...

and all that it should be!