Artisanal fishing: On the high seas, fishermen rebel against the authorities

The protests are taking to the sea. Far from the usual demonstrations organized on land, artisanal fishermen have chosen the ocean to voice their anger. In Pointe-Sarène, several members of the National Union of Artisanal Fishermen of Senegal (UNAPAS) took to the waters aboard their pirogues, as part of a peaceful march organized last Thursday. All dressed in red, they wanted to send a strong message to the authorities: they do not intend to back down on their demands regarding the management of fisheries resources.

At the heart of this maritime mobilization lies one demand: the outright repeal of decree no. 009965 of April 30, 2026, which partially unfroze coastal demersal fishing licenses. This decision, made by the former Minister of Fisheries, Dr. Fatou Diouf, sparked fierce protests within the artisanal fishing community. While the measure has since been suspended in the face of the controversy, UNAPAS officials remain unconvinced. For them, the suspension does not resolve the issue. They are demanding the definitive withdrawal of the decree to eliminate any possibility of its reactivation.

Canoes at sea to denounce the pressure from industrial ships

This march at sea is primarily intended as a cry for help in addressing the growing difficulties faced by artisanal fishermen. For Ibrahima Kane, a member of UNAPAS, the choice to demonstrate aboard pirogues reflects the extent of the discontent within the profession. He denounces, in particular, the pressure exerted by industrial vessels on fish stocks and its consequences for artisanal fishing activities. According to him, this situation not only weakens the fishermen but also all the stakeholders who depend on this ecosystem. Through this mobilization, the demonstrators intend to call upon the authorities to take urgent measures to protect marine resources and guarantee the survival of artisanal fishing.

Macoumba Dièye, for his part, emphasized the risks posed by renewed pressure on coastal demersal fish stocks. He noted that, twenty years after the lifting of the licenses freeze, the situation of several fish stocks remains worrisome. In his view, maintaining the restrictions and repealing the decree of April 30th are necessary measures to prevent further pressure on resources and promote their recovery.

UNAPAS is calling for an audit of the Senegalese fishing fleet.

Beyond the partial unfreezing of licenses, UNAPAS officials used this mobilization to reiterate another demand: transparency in the management of the fisheries sector. Pape Ndiol Ngom, the organization's secretary general, is calling for greater clarity regarding the conditions for issuing fishing licenses. According to him, the goal is to identify vessels that may have fraudulently joined the Senegalese fleet.

The organization reiterates its demand for a comprehensive and impartial audit of the national fishing fleet. It considers this essential to shed light on the permits granted and to improve fisheries management. With this demonstration organized at sea, artisanal fishers intend to maintain pressure on the authorities. Their message is unequivocal: the suspension of the partial thawing of fishing rights is not enough. They want the definitive repeal of the controversial decree, greater transparency in the allocation of licenses, and concrete guarantees for the preservation of fish stocks.