The National Union of Artisanal Fishermen of Senegal (UNAPAS) reaffirmed, in Fass Boye, its demand to exclude industrial fishing vessels from the maritime zone between 0 and 12 nautical miles.

"Our goal is to protect artisanal fishermen and guarantee the supply of quality fish to the population," said UNAPAS during this stage of the "Carrying the Torch for the Protection of Artisanal Fishing Professions" campaign.

According to the organization, conflicts between artisanal fishermen and industrial vessels have become recurrent along the Grande Côte. "From Cayar to Potou, passing through Mboro, Lompoul and Fass Boye, our nets and fishing gear are regularly destroyed by industrial vessels that operate illegally, often at night, below the 6-nautical-mile limit," denounced UNAPAS.

The organization called on the Senegalese authorities to take responsibility. "Artisanal fishermen are full-fledged citizens. Their canoes and nets are their property and must be protected by the State," it insisted.

Despite repeated warnings, "no concrete measures have been taken to stop the incursions of industrial ships," laments UNAPAS, which recalls that the commitments to push these ships back to 12 nautical miles, made during the 2024 election campaigns, "remain a dead letter."

"Artisanal fishing is a pillar of the national economy and food security. Its protection is not a favor, but a duty of the State," the organization concluded, reiterating its demands, including an audit of the Senegalese fishing flag.