The National Coalition for Sustainable Fishing (CONAPED) denounces the decision by the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy to exceptionally authorize five industrial vessels to access coastal demersal fishing, despite the freeze on licenses in effect since 2006.

In a statement received by Seneweb, CONAPED believes that Ministerial Order No. 30.04.2026*009965 constitutes a serious threat to efforts to restore fishery resources in Senegal.

In particular, she criticizes the authorities for relying solely on an exploitable potential estimated at 2,921 t by the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Centre (CRODT), without fully taking into account the reservations expressed by scientists.

The CRODT had nevertheless warned that these resources coexist with several already overexploited species and that their exploitation required "strict accompanying measures", rigorous scientific monitoring as well as reinforced control of landings.

The coalition believes that introducing new trawlers into this fishery risks worsening the situation for several critical species, such as the grouper, octopus, and certain coastal shrimp. It points out that bottom trawling remains a relatively indiscriminate technique, inevitably resulting in bycatch of already vulnerable species.

CONAPED also considers that this decision goes against the commitments made in the Charter for sustainable fishing and the precautionary principle which had precisely motivated the freezing of coastal demersal licenses for almost twenty years.

Beyond the environmental aspect, the coalition denounces a governance structure deemed unbalanced. It regrets that during the meeting of the Advisory Commission for the Allocation of Fishing Licenses (CCALP), only three representatives of the professionals sat opposite nine representatives of the administration, which, according to the coalition, calls into question the notion of inclusive co-management.

CONAPED also points to the absence of strict quotas per vessel and the lack of automatic mechanisms for closing fisheries once scientific thresholds are reached. According to the organization, simply having observers on board vessels is not enough to guarantee compliance with scientific recommendations.

The organization also believes that the food security argument put forward to justify this measure remains unconvincing. It maintains that the 2,921 tonnes mentioned represent a marginal volume compared to national needs and that Senegal's food security has historically relied more on small pelagic fish than on coastal demersal species.

Finally, CONAPED expresses its concerns regarding certain fishing vessels operating under the Senegalese flag but suspected of being controlled by foreign interests. It has long been calling for a transparent audit of the Senegalese flag in the fishing sector.

Faced with this situation, it calls for the immediate withdrawal of the ministerial decree, the maintenance of the freeze on coastal demersal licenses and the opening of a broad national consultation on the future of fishing and food security in Senegal.