High sea control of Senegalese / spanish fishing boat SOFIA / 6WLE / DAK 1227, shrimper trawler. Joint operation DPSP fishery inspectors and Greenpeace. Crew on deck sorting out the catch of shrimps and fish, Esperanza visible in background –

© Pierre Gleizes / Greenpeace

11 MAY 2022 – Following the Senegalese National Office to Fight Fraud and Corruption’s (OFNAC) publication of a report and their decision N°05/2021 on the issuing of fishing licences, Dr Aliou BA, Ocean Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Africa, called for greater transparency and strong action to protect the sector.

OFNAC noted some instances where the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy issued a letter of guarantee, known as a “fishing license promise”, to vessels whose registration requests were being processed. However, this practice is not sanctioned by law 2015-18 of June 30, 2015 on the Senegalese Maritime Fisheries Code, or by a regulatory provision empowering the authority concerned to proceed in this way.

In addition, the allocation of deep demersal fishing licenses to boats constitutes a violation of the law by the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy in the period 2014-2019, while this category of licensing does not yet exist according to the anti-corruption office.

“The shortcomings raised by OFNAC confirm the concerns of Greenpeace Africa, which for years has been asking for an audit and the publication of the list of vessels authorized in Senegal,” says Dr Ba. “We must not allow this important sector to operate under such nebulous practices. This is why Greenpeace Africa is once again calling on the Senegalese government to act to protect its fishing sector,” continues Dr Ba.

OFNAC also noted other shortcomings, including the joint commission for these licenses withholding decisions. According to the report, the joint commission refused to report licensing decisions, thereby delaying the regulatory process.

Greenpeace Africa will continue to follow this investigation report and its consequences closely.

Media Contacts:

Amagor Robert NIANG

Media and Communications SENEGAL

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