Anam Audit: Fictitious Sénégalisation Navires Pêche Sénégal Uncovered

• An audit of Senegal's industrial fleet revealed presumed cases of fictitious vessel Senegalisation and anomalies in tonnage registers.
• Former Anam Director General Bécaye Diop testified about these issues before a parliamentary inquiry investigating fishing licenses.
• The inquiry's scope includes vessel registration, technical controls, maritime registers, tonnage measurement, and Senegalisation criteria.
• Current Anam DG Mamadou Thiaw clarified that while 271 vessels are registered, navigability is certified separately by permits after safety inspections.
• Fishing licenses are issued by the Minister of Fisheries, with Anam providing technical expertise to the Consultative Attribution Commission.

The ongoing parliamentary inquiry signals a critical examination of the integrity of vessel ownership and operational compliance within the nation's vital fishing industry.

A parliamentary inquiry in Senegal is currently scrutinizing the processes for issuing and renewing fishing licenses, bringing to light serious allegations of irregularities within the nation's maritime sector. During recent hearings, Bécaye Diop, who served as Director General of the National Agency for Maritime Affairs (Anam) from November 2024 to July 2026, informed deputies about presumed instances of fictitious Senegalisation of vessels. These revelations emerged from an audit conducted on the industrial fishing fleet, which also reportedly uncovered anomalies in the registers used for measuring vessel tonnage.

The scope of this legislative investigation is broad, encompassing critical aspects of maritime governance. Deputies are specifically examining the procedures for vessel registration and subsequent monitoring of ships operating under the Senegalese flag. Furthermore, the inquiry delves into technical controls, the maintenance of maritime registers, the precise measurement of vessel tonnage, and the adherence to established criteria for Senegalisation, a policy aimed at ensuring national ownership and control over maritime assets. These proceedings highlight a concerted effort to address potential systemic issues affecting the transparency and legality of fishing operations in Senegalese waters.

Providing further clarity on the administrative landscape, Mamadou Thiaw, the current Director General of Anam and the first official to testify before the parliamentary commission, outlined the distinct aspects of vessel registration and navigability. Thiaw explained that while the national registration register meticulously records a vessel's characteristics, its initial registration date, and a unique identification number, there is no separate, dedicated register specifically for navigability status. This distinction is crucial for understanding the regulatory environment governing the Senegalese fleet.

Instead, a vessel's navigability is certified through a specific permit, which is granted only after a series of mandatory safety inspections have been successfully completed. The duration for which this navigability permit remains valid is directly determined by the outcomes of these rigorous safety assessments. Regarding the process of license attribution, Bécaye Diop clarified that the ultimate authority for issuing fishing licenses rests with the Minister responsible for Fisheries. Anam's role in this critical process is to provide essential technical expertise and support to the Consultative Attribution Commission, which advises on these decisions.

Insights into the composition and historical changes of Senegal's active maritime fleet were also presented during the parliamentary hearings. According to data shared by Mamadou Thiaw, the national fleet currently in operation consists of 271 registered vessels. A significant proportion of these, specifically 187 vessels, accounting for 69% of the total, are actively engaged in various maritime activities including fishing, industrial operations, research, and training initiatives. The remaining 84 vessels primarily serve purposes such as recreational boating, passenger transportation, and specialized maritime training programs.

Beyond the active fleet, the official register also documents a substantial number of de-registrations, totaling 258 vessels. These removals from the national registry are attributed to several factors, with 123 instances recorded as total losses, indicating vessels that are no longer viable. Additionally, nine registrations were officially cancelled, four vessels underwent demolition, and two were reported as destroyed. These figures provide a comprehensive overview of the dynamic nature of Senegal's maritime inventory, reflecting both active operations and the natural attrition of vessels over time.

The revelations concerning fictitious Senegalisation and irregularities in tonnage registers carry significant implications for the integrity and future governance of Senegal's fishing industry. The ongoing parliamentary inquiry signals a critical examination of the integrity of vessel ownership and operational compliance within the nation's vital fishing industry. These allegations, if substantiated, could undermine efforts to ensure sustainable fishing practices and equitable resource distribution, potentially impacting both local communities and international partnerships.

The heightened scrutiny on fishing licenses and vessel registration processes underscores the government's commitment to addressing potential loopholes and ensuring adherence to national and international maritime standards. The findings of this inquiry are expected to inform future policy decisions, potentially leading to revised regulations or more stringent enforcement mechanisms for vessel ownership, registration, and operational criteria. This period of intense investigation is crucial for reinforcing transparency and accountability across the entire Senegalese fishing sector, aiming to safeguard its long-term viability and reputation.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising fishing industry clients in Senegal should closely monitor the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into fishing licenses and alleged fictitious Senegalisation. This development signals heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential for investigations, enforcement actions, or revised compliance requirements concerning vessel ownership, registration, and operational criteria in the Senegalese fishing sector.

Source: Reporting based on Senegalese press.