The non-renewal of fishing agreements between Senegal and the European Union (EU) offers a strategic opportunity to resolve the problem of the high cost of fishery products while supporting the development of the local processing industry. This was emphasized by Mamadou Habib Camara, the deputy governor of the Kaolack region in charge of development, during a meeting with members of the National Coalition for Sustainable Fishing (CONAPED) on Saturday January 28, 2025.
According to the administrative authority, the end of these fishing agreements could make it possible to significantly reduce the costs of fishery products in Senegal, by promoting the establishment of local processing units. These units would not only process seafood products, but would also offer a real source of wealth and jobs for local populations.
During this meeting, CONAPED submitted a memorandum to local authorities as part of its campaign to promote responsible and sustainable fishing. This initiative, which began on January 12, continues until January 23, 2025, with stops in different fishing zones across Senegal, ranging from Saint-Louis, in the north, to Kafountine, in the south.
The aim of this caravan is to directly raise awareness among fishing stakeholders, listen to their concerns and collect their suggestions to improve the charter adopted by the highest Senegalese authorities. This charter aims to encourage transparent and inclusive management of the fisheries sector with a view to guaranteeing its long-term sustainability, particularly by 2030.
One of the major proposals of the charter is to freeze the granting of new industrial fishing licenses for already overexploited fish stocks, and to support efforts to restore degraded marine ecosystems. Additionally, it calls for a significant reduction in marine pollution.
-Fishing is a strategic sector for Senegal, providing 75% of the animal proteins needed by the population. It also generates revenues of more than 250 billion CFA francs for the State, much more than oil, which only brings in 30 billion CFA francs. According to Mbacké Seck, ecologist and member of CONAPED, these figures illustrate the crucial importance of this sector for the country’s economy and food security.
The deputy governor of Kaolack welcomed this CONAPED initiative, stressing that the caravan is a positive response to the current challenges posed by climate change, which seriously affects the fishing sector. He also clarified that the government of Senegal remains committed to supporting initiatives such as this, citing as an example the revision of the agrosylvopastoral and fisheries orientation law, which takes into account the challenges of the fishing sector.
The non-renewal of fishing agreements with the European Union, according to Mamadou Habib Camara, is a decision in line with the concerns of local stakeholders, aiming to promote more sustainable and equitable management of the country’s maritime resources.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
