Sénégal: CONAPED Dénonce Opacité Licences Pêche Lors Auditions Parlementaires

• Senegal's National Assembly is conducting an inquiry into industrial fishing license attribution, with CONAPED welcoming the initiative.
• Auditions have confirmed CONAPED's long-standing concerns about opacity and procedural violations in license allocation.
• Questions have arisen regarding licenses granted without adhering to legal conditions or considering scientific advice from the CRODT.
• CONAPED advocates for revising the Consultative Commission for the Attribution of Fishing Licenses (CCALP) composition and auditing the national fishing fleet.
• The organization demands the cancellation of licenses issued in violation of legal procedures and the full implementation of its Charter for sustainable fishing.

The organization demands the cancellation of licenses issued in violation of legal procedures and the full implementation of its Charter for sustainable fishing.

Senegal's National Assembly is currently conducting an inquiry into the attribution of industrial fishing licenses, a process that has garnered significant public attention. This initiative involves the questioning of both former and current officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, alongside members of the Consultative Commission for the Attribution of Fishing Licenses (CCALP). The Coalition nationale pour une pêche durable (CONAPED) has expressed its approval of these `auditions parlementaires licences pêche Sénégal`, viewing them as a crucial step towards public enlightenment and accountability.

CONAPED asserts that the testimonies heard during these sessions corroborate its long-standing concerns regarding the operational transparency of the CCALP and the general opacity surrounding the `attribution licences pêche Sénégal`. Specific questions have emerged concerning the introduction of vessels into Senegalese waters without fulfilling statutory requirements, such as mandatory passage through the CCALP. Furthermore, the inquiry has highlighted instances where licenses may have been granted without due consideration for the scientific advice provided by the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center (CRODT). These revelations underscore the urgent need for clarity on these procedural discrepancies, reinforcing CONAPED's stance that the `CONAPED dénonce opacité licences pêche Sénégal`.

The `Commission consultative d’attribution des licences de pêche` (CCALP) plays a pivotal role in the regulatory framework for fishing licenses, yet its recommendations are not legally binding on the minister. This non-binding nature raises significant questions about the weight given to the multidisciplinary expertise of its members, including the critical scientific input from CRODT researchers. CONAPED has consistently advocated for an expansion of the CCALP's composition to include a broader representation of fishing sector stakeholders, aligning with engagement number 8 of its Charter for Sustainable Fishing.

Moreover, CONAPED has previously called for a moratorium on issuing new licenses for fish stocks already classified as fully exploited or overexploited, a principle enshrined in engagement number 1 of its Charter. The current parliamentary inquiry suggests that a failure to implement these preventative measures, particularly engagement number 3 concerning an audit of the national industrial fishing fleet and pirogue fleet, has contributed to the present issues. The potential for `fraude licences pêche Sénégal` and non-compliance with established legal procedures remains a central concern, necessitating a thorough review of past licensing decisions.

For CONAPED, the issue extends beyond mere license allocation, aiming to ensure the sustainable exploitation of marine resources for the benefit of the population. The organization emphasizes that effective `gestion ressources halieutiques Sénégal` is fundamental to preserving the livelihoods of fishing communities, guaranteeing the viability of sector enterprises, and bolstering the sector's contribution to national development and food sovereignty. These overarching objectives cannot be achieved if license attribution processes fail to adequately consider the actual exploitable potential and the ecological status of marine resources.

Public decisions regarding fishing licenses must integrate the warnings and recommendations from researchers, industry professionals, and civil society to prevent irreversible damage to the sustainability of Senegalese fisheries. The invaluable work of CRODT researchers, often conducted under challenging conditions, produces essential data for fisheries management. CONAPED argues that their expert opinions must be given greater weight, and any ministerial decisions deviating from this advice should be thoroughly justified to uphold the principles of the `CONAPED Charte pêche durable`.

In light of the ongoing revelations, CONAPED has reiterated a series of critical demands to address the systemic issues within the fishing license attribution process. These include the comprehensive implementation of all commitments outlined in the `CONAPED Charte pêche durable`, particularly engagement number 3, which mandates an audit of the national fishing fleet and the transparent sharing of its findings with all stakeholders.

Furthermore, CONAPED insists on a revision of the CCALP's composition to ensure it includes key representatives from across the fishing sector. Crucially, the organization demands the cancellation of licenses found to have been issued in violation of established legal procedures and the repeal of any decrees that authorized the improper granting or unfreezing of such licenses. These measures are deemed essential for restoring integrity and sustainability to Senegal's vital fishing industry.

Lawyers advising clients in the Senegalese fishing sector should closely monitor the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into fishing license attribution and CONAPED's demands for transparency and compliance. There is a heightened risk of existing licenses being challenged or revoked if found to have been issued in violation of legal procedures, necessitating a review of clients' license acquisition processes. Future license applications may also face stricter scrutiny and revised procedural requirements.

Source: Original reporting via CONAPED press release