The Senegalese Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy conducted decisive control operations in several locations, resulting in the seizure of more than 2,500 bags of processed fish products derived from juvenile fish and the destruction of 60 crates of fresh fish.
According to a statement published on its Facebook page, which was visited by APA on Monday, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Dr. Fatou Diouf, specified that these operations took place in the Dakar region, particularly in Mbao, Diokoul Kaw, Bata, and Khimbe, on March 18. In Joal-Fadiouth, in mid-February, carts illegally transporting juvenile sardinella were intercepted, revealing an organised network that has since been dismantled.
“These findings are concerning and reveal the persistence of practices contrary to regulations,” she stated. The fishing of juvenile fish jeopardises the reproduction of our marine species, thus threatening the balance of our ecosystems and the future of our fishing sector.
“We cannot tolerate private interests compromising the collective well-being and the richness of our marine heritage,” emphasised Dr. Diouf.
Faced with this situation, the minister reaffirmed her department’s commitment to continuing control operations and rigorously enforcing existing regulations. She also announced the continuation of field missions and awareness-raising meetings to empower all stakeholders
and strengthen their compliance with the law.
“I reiterate my commitment and that of my department to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and call upon all stakeholders in the fisheries sector to strictly adhere to the regulations,” Dr. Fatou Diouf concluded.
TE/fss/as/APA