Senegal: President Faye calls for a review of the Maritime Fishing Code, an audit of the Senegalese flag and an assessment of fishing agreements and licences
At the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, held on Wednesday 08 May 2024 at the Palais de la République, the Head of State, His Excellency, Mr Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, who chaired the meeting, began by recalling the vital role played by fishing in Senegal’s economic and social development, particularly small-scale fishing, which is an important source of income for part of the population.
In this regard, President Faye called on the Government to take all necessary measures to preserve fisheries resources and protect small-scale fishing professionals. He called for a review of the Maritime Fishing Code and its rigorous application.
In this context, the President of the Republic emphasised the need to strengthen measures to combat illegal fishing activities.
He also stressed the urgent need to define a national policy for the sustainable management of fisheries resources through a specific programme involving researchers and well-targeted partners. After welcoming the publication, on 06 May 2024, by the Minister in charge of fisheries, of the list of vessels authorised to fish in waters under Senegalese jurisdiction, the Head of State reminded the Government of the importance it attaches to transparency in the management of the fisheries sector, calling for an audit of the Senegalese flag as well as an evaluation of the fishing agreements and licences in force.
President Faye also called for an inventory and evaluation of state intervention, subsidies and funding in the fisheries sector in terms of infrastructure and support for stakeholders. He also asked that attention be paid to renewing and securing the fleet of small-scale pirogues.
In the same vein, the Head of State invited the Prime Minister to engage in consultations with stakeholders in the fisheries sector in order to define an emergency programme to revive small-scale fishing and develop industrial fishing.
He also stressed the need to develop aquaculture, a source of employment, by creating a network of aquaculture centres and stations throughout the country.
