Dégel partiel des licences de pêche démersal côtière : Les pêcheurs artisanaux expriment leurs inquiétudes
There's grumbling on the fishing docks of Senegal. Already facing a slowdown in the sector, artisanal fishermen have just received a major blow from the authorities. In a decree dated April 30, 2026, the Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure, Dr. Fatou Diouf, authorized, "on an exceptional basis," access to coastal demersal fishing for five industrial vessels.
A decision that, according to artisanal fishing stakeholders, calls into question years of protection for fish stocks. They fear overexploitation that would threaten the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Targeting species (fish, crustaceans, and mollusks) living near the seabed—generally at a depth of 200 meters where artisanal fishing (which accounts for 83% of the total catch) takes place—coastal demersal fishing is indeed a major issue for the local economy and food security. This also explains the strong backlash the decree has provoked.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ibrahima Mar, coordinator of the National Network of Local Artisanal Fishing Councils of Senegal, expressed his deep concern. In a press release, he sought to draw the public's attention to the harmful effects of this decree.
"This decision is causing deep concern among artisanal fishing communities and coastal populations, in a context where Senegal's fishery resources are already under serious threat," he insists, reminding the Pastef regime of its "strong" commitments regarding "breaking with the practices of overexploitation of resources, the protection of artisanal fishing, sovereignty over fishery resources, among other things."
According to him, this decree appears "to contradict these commitments and risks exacerbating the difficulties already experienced by artisanal fishermen."
Beyond the impact on resources, this decree risks, according to Ibrahima Mar, exacerbating "the numerous cases of accidents and collisions recorded in recent years between artisanal canoes and industrial vessels sharing the same fishing areas."
"Several fishermen have lost their lives at sea, boats have been destroyed and many families continue to suffer the dramatic consequences of this dangerous coexistence," he says, warning against the increase in industrial fishing activities in areas frequented by artisanal fishermen.
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