Fishing licenses: Conaped demands the cancellation of illegal permits

The management of industrial fishing licenses in Senegal is once again under fire. The National Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries (Conaped) is taking a stand and demanding strong measures to end alleged irregularities in the allocation of fishing permits. In a press release, the organization reacts to the hearings of former and current officials from the Ministry of Fisheries before the National Assembly's inquiry committee. It believes these hearings confirm its concerns about the lack of transparency in the process of allocating certain licenses. While welcoming this parliamentary initiative, Conaped calls for a full investigation into the conditions under which certain vessels entered Senegalese fisheries. It questions, in particular, situations in which permits were allegedly issued without adherence to all regulatory procedures, especially the requirement to consult the Advisory Commission for the Allocation of Fishing Licenses (CCALP). Another point of concern is the granting of licenses without considering the opinion of the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center (CRODT). The coalition believes these issues must be clarified to ensure rigorous management of fisheries resources.

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Conaped wants to review the rules for awarding licenses.

Beyond the questions raised by the parliamentary hearings, the coalition is calling for a reform of the CCALP (Commission for the Control of Fishing and Aquaculture Projects). It advocates for the integration of representative organizations from the various components of the fishing sector, in order to allow for more balanced stakeholder participation in decision-making. This demand falls within the framework of commitment number 8 of its Charter for Sustainable Fisheries. Conaped also insists on the implementation of commitment number 1, which stipulates a freeze on all new licenses for fully exploited or overexploited stocks. The organization believes that allocation decisions must absolutely take into account the state of the resources and their exploitable potential. Furthermore, it is concerned about the role given to scientific expertise in the decision-making process. Indeed, the CCALP's opinion is not binding on the Minister of Fisheries. This situation, according to the coalition, raises the question of the actual weight given to expert analyses when issuing permits. She therefore calls for better consideration of the work of the CRODT and demands that any decision deviating from scientific advice be duly justified.

An audit of the national fleet is required.

The National Coalition for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Conaped) is also reiterating its demand for an audit of the national industrial fishing fleet and the pirogue fleet. It believes such an audit would have allowed for the anticipation of certain difficulties and insists that the results be shared with all stakeholders. At the same time, the coalition is calling for the cancellation of licenses granted in violation of legal procedures. It also demands the repeal of decrees authorizing the granting or unfreezing of licenses for fully exploited or overexploited species, specifically citing the decree concerning the unfreezing of coastal demersal fishing licenses. For the organization, the issue goes beyond mere administrative compliance. It directly concerns the preservation of fish stocks, the livelihoods of fishing communities, and the sustainability of businesses in the sector. Conaped therefore calls on the authorities to implement all the commitments in its charter and to establish more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable management of fish stocks. She believes that this requirement is essential to strengthen the contribution of fishing to national development and to preserve Senegal's food sovereignty.