Sénégal UNAPAS: Exige l'Abrogation Définitive de l'Arrêté 009965 Licences Pêche

• Artisanal fishermen in Senegal, represented by UNAPAS, protested at sea, demanding the abrogation arrêté 009965 licences pêche Sénégal.
• The controversial arrêté n°009965 du 30 avril 2026 concerns the partial unfreezing of coastal demersal fishing licenses, a measure currently suspended but not repealed.
• UNAPAS argues that the suspension is insufficient and that the arrêté continues to threaten the already fragile coastal demersal stocks.
• Fishermen are also calling for increased transparency in license allocation and a comprehensive audit pavillon pêche sénégalais.
• The organization has appealed directly to the President to halt any new allocations of demersal fishing licenses, citing the sector's fragility.

UNAPAS argues that merely suspending the arrêté n°009965 du 30 avril 2026 does not adequately safeguard the preservation of vital fishery resources, especially the already vulnerable coastal demersal stocks.

The Union nationale des pêcheurs artisanaux du Sénégal (UNAPAS) recently staged an unusual maritime demonstration, with artisanal fishermen gathering in their canoes on the high seas near Pointe-Sarène. This peaceful protest, where participants wore red to symbolize their indignation, aimed to highlight the severe threats confronting Senegal's fishery resources and the very survival of the pêche artisanale sénégalaise sector.

Despite the temporary suspension of a controversial measure, the fishing community remains resolute in its demand for the complete abrogation arrêté 009965 licences pêche Sénégal. The protest served as a powerful visual appeal to authorities, underscoring the deep concerns within the sector, particularly regarding the intense pressure exerted by industrial fishing vessels on marine ecosystems and local livelihoods. Ibrahima Kane, a member of UNAPAS, articulated the community's distress, emphasizing that industrial operations are jeopardizing their activities and that urgent governmental intervention is required.

At the heart of the fishermen's grievances is the arrêté n°009965 du 30 avril 2026, which pertains to the partial unfreezing of coastal demersal fishing licenses. This administrative decision, initially enacted under the tenure of former Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Dr. Fatou Diouf, has consistently faced strong opposition from artisanal fishing organizations. While the measure has been suspended, UNAPAS insists that this temporary halt is insufficient, advocating instead for its definitive repeal.

UNAPAS argues that merely suspending the arrêté n°009965 du 30 avril 2026 does not adequately safeguard the preservation of vital fishery resources, especially the already vulnerable coastal demersal stocks. Macoumba Dièye, National President of UNAPAS, pointed out that two decades after the initial unfreezing policies were introduced, the condition of numerous fish stocks remains critical. The organization's primary objective is to prevent further strain on these demersal stocks and facilitate their gradual recovery by maintaining a freeze on new licenses and ensuring the abrogation arrêté 009965 licences pêche Sénégal.

Beyond the immediate issue of the arrêté, the Pointe-Sarène demonstration also served as a platform for artisanal fishermen to voice broader concerns about the lack of transparency in the gestion ressources halieutiques Sénégal. UNAPAS is specifically demanding greater clarity regarding the criteria and processes for allocating fishing licenses, alongside a thorough examination of the national fleet's composition.

Pape Ndiol Ngom, Secretary General of UNAPAS, stressed the critical need for complete transparency in license issuance to identify any vessels that may have fraudulently joined the Senegalese fleet. He reiterated the organization's call for an exhaustive, rigorous, and impartial audit pavillon pêche sénégalais. Ultimately, UNAPAS has directly appealed to the President of the Republic, urging a dedicated focus on the demands of artisanal fishermen and advocating against any further allocation of coastal demersal and deep demersal fishing licenses, given the already precarious state of the sector.

Lawyers advising clients in Senegal's fishing sector should monitor the ongoing protests and demands for the abrogation of arrêté n°009965, as this indicates significant regulatory instability and potential for changes in fishing license allocation and compliance requirements. Compliance officers should anticipate increased scrutiny and potential audits regarding fishing permits and fleet composition in light of UNAPAS's calls for greater transparency.

Source: Original reporting via Le Quotidien