SENEGAL – The European Union (EU) has announced its decision to suspend its fisheries agreement with Senegal, which is set to expire on November 17, 2024.
Jean-Marc Pisani, the EU ambassador to Senegal, confirmed this development on November 12, 2024.
The suspension comes as part of the EU’s ongoing zero-tolerance policy towards illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with officials citing Senegal’s insufficient efforts to address this issue.
Earlier this year, the European Commission issued a warning to Senegal, following reports of illegal exports of fish products from Senegal to the EU.
The commission had raised concerns about the inadequacy of Senegal’s regulatory measures in controlling such practices.
Despite the suspension of the fisheries protocol, the EU expressed its intention to continue supporting Senegal in strengthening its control and traceability systems for fishery products.
According to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), both parties are engaged in formal discussions focused on resolving issues related to IUU fishing.
The agreement, active from 2019 to 2024, had brought significant financial support to Senegal’s fisheries sector.
During this period, the EU contributed US$9 million to the country’s budget, with more than half of this amount allocated to the development of the fishing industry.
This funding had helped to finance projects such as the construction of fishing docks in Ndangane Sambou, Fatick, and Hann, Dakar, as well as monitoring and research efforts aimed at preserving fish stocks.
However, with the suspension of the agreement, Senegal will no longer receive this financial support.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the country’s total fish production reached 500,000 tons in 2022.
The ongoing discussions between Senegal and the EU may determine the future of their fisheries cooperation, as both sides continue to address the challenge of illegal fishing.
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