“Stop bottom trawling in Senegalese waters! Yes to excluding industrial vessels from the 0–12 mile zone!” This is the heartfelt plea of the National Union of Artisanal Fishermen of Senegal (UNAPAS), launched this Friday, November 21, 2025, on the occasion of the celebration of World Fisheries Day (WFD).

"This 2025 edition comes in the context of a deep crisis that threatens the very survival of coastal communities and the balance of marine ecosystems," reads the entity's memorandum.

In the text, UNAPAS states that fish stocks are being depleted rapidly across all areas. "This scarcity exacerbates tensions between artisanal fishers, particularly between those using different fishing techniques. Even more serious, incursions by industrial fishing vessels into areas reserved for artisanal fishing are increasing."

These violations, the document states, are not without consequences: "Destruction of equipment, capsizing of canoes, injuries... and sometimes loss of life," the organization recalls. "Artisan fishermen, an essential link in the fishing economy, are increasingly exposed and vulnerable."

In the same vein, UNAPAS also deplores a lack of consultation with the supervisory authority. Correspondence sent to the ministry remains unanswered, even though major decisions are made without prior consultation with professionals, such as the increase in fees for health and safety certificates.

For the organization, this stance represents "a setback for Senegalese co-management," long cited as a model in the sub-region. "During past election campaigns, the authorities made several strong commitments such as pushing industrial vessels beyond 12 miles, auditing the industrial fleet, and regularly publishing the list of ships authorized in Senegalese waters."

However, the ministry's latest publication, dated October 2025, reports 122 licensed industrial vessels, including 110 trawlers, representing over 90%. This is an alarming proportion for UNAPAS.

Bottom trawling in the crosshairs

Among the techniques used, bottom trawling is particularly singled out. This method, which scrapes the seabed, is considered one of the most destructive in the world. It devastates habitats, depletes the oceans, and accelerates the depletion of resources. "Senegal must not become a haven for boats that come to take what little remains," insists UNAPAS.

Added to this is "the presence of four purse seiners targeting small pelagic fish in the 3-mile zone, in direct competition with the artisanal pirogues that ensure the food security of millions of Senegalese."

Faced with this situation, UNAPAS is making a series of specific demands to the Ministry of Fisheries. These include, among other things, banning bottom trawling in Senegalese waters, strictly reserving the 0–12 mile zone for artisanal fishing, conducting and publishing an audit of the Senegalese fishing flag, adopting sustainable resource management measures, protecting artisanal pirogues from industrial encroachment, and preserving all fishing-related professions.

The organization reaffirms its commitment to sustainable fishing, the only guarantee of food security and social stability for the country's maritime communities.