In a particularly aggressive press release dated May 29, 2026, the Group of Shipowners and Fishing Industry Professionals in Senegal (GAIPES) expressed its strong opposition to decree no. 30.04.2026-009965. This act, taken by the outgoing Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Dr. Fatou Diouf, concerns the partial unfreezing of coastal demersal fishing licenses.

Describing this measure as "a breach of trust disguised as a national cause", the employers' organization condemns a unilateral decision that lifts a 20-year moratorium on a fishery that is already structurally overexploited, and makes a solemn appeal to the head of state for its immediate cancellation.

The shadow of a "serial fraudster" looms over a fragile fishery

According to the information presented in the first part of the document transmitted in file 1769511.png, GAIPES firmly rejects the official argument of a presidential directive aimed at supplying the national market with fish. Behind what it calls a superficial argument, the group denounces the introduction into Senegalese waters of vessels "belonging to a fishing company notoriously cited between 2018 and 2024 for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices." The organization specifically cites serious and repeated violations of the Fisheries Code, such as switched-off tracking beacons and fishing activities in prohibited areas, naming the beneficiary operator as a "serial offender."

To justify her decision, the outgoing minister, Dr. Fatou Diouf, stated in the media that she had consulted all shipowners without receiving any viable alternative proposals. This line of defense, according to the organization, does not stand up to scrutiny. GAIPES also relies on scientific reports from the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center (CRODT) to reiterate that demersal stocks are fully exploited and that "management measures must be taken to recover the deficit (...) and bring catches back to a sustainable level." By interpreting this data in what it considers a selective and biased manner, the supervisory authority risks discrediting national scientific research.

Threat to international markets and call for presidential arbitration

The subsequent analysis, detailed in file 1769512.png, highlights the methodological shortcomings of the decree, citing the failure to consider the ecosystem dimension, the precautionary approach, and the real socio-economic implications. The figures put forward by the fishing industry are unequivocal: the potentially exploitable tonnage targeted by the measure (estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 tonnes) is negligible compared to the actual needs of the local market, estimated at at least 220,000 tonnes according to scientific data from April 2026. The argument of food security is therefore deemed completely unfounded and a political ploy.

Even more alarming, GAIPES points out that this ministerial "forceful action" is taking place in a highly sensitive international context for Senegal. The country has been under a "yellow card from the European Union" since 2024, precisely because of shortcomings in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Granting new licenses in a threatened fishery to a fishing company with questionable practices amounts, according to the group, to deliberately aggravating the situation and definitively jeopardizing access for Senegalese fish exports to international markets. Faced with what it describes as a unilateral decision completely at odds with sectoral consultation, the GAIPES Bureau is making a direct appeal to the President of the Republic and the Head of Government to demand "the outright withdrawal of the decree in question."