Press release - January 24, 2013
Dakar, 24 January 2013 - Greenpeace presents its congratulations to President Macky Sall who just won theaward "Excellence in National Stewardship of the Ocean" IN the 6th Edition of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards.
This annual award is given to the representative of a nation whose policies contribute to the protection and restoration of THE oceans for the benefit of the communities that depend on that for their ²food and livelihoods.
"Since the beginning of his leadership of Senegal, President Macky Sall has made strong and courageous decisions that go in the direction of preserving the nation's fisheries. This award is a recognition of his political commitment, "said Michael Obrien Onyeka, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.
Among the notable measures taken by President Sall are the cancellation, in April 2012, of 29 illegal fishing authorizations granted by the former government to foreign pelagic trawlers which where plundering marine resources and endangering the livelihoods of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, he decided to close thewaters under Senegalese jurisdiction to pelagic trawlers for a period of at least one year.
During the 42nd United Nations Conference on Sustainable development (RIO+20) and the 16th Conference of"Francophonie" Macky Sall demonstrated his commitment in the international arena.
Greenpeace, which proposed President Macky Sall to the selection committee, wishes to see him continue to promote marine reserves and good governance in fishery resources management at the regional level.