Minister of Fisheries, Senegalese Counterpart Chair Meeting With Experts

On 4 January, in Nouakchott, Mr. Mokhtar El Housseyni Lam, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, and his Senegalese counterpart, Mr. Papa Sagna Mbaye, chaired a consultation meeting between the two parties on the application of the provisions of the protocol signed between the two countries in July 2023 in Nouakchott.

At the end of the meeting, the two ministers appointed a technical commission to examine the practical arrangements for implementing the protocol signed on 24 July 2023.

During the work of the commission, the two parties agreed on some provisions.

Regarding the establishment of licenses, the Mauritanian side indicated that after having verified the required conditions, all the licenses were established and that the agents of the Mauritanian Coast Guard (GCM) station having to monitor the fishing operations in Saint Louis are ready to return to their post there.

The Senegalese side informed that arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth running of their missions.

The Senegalese side informed that the distinctive marks to be affixed to the protocol pirogues are made on almost all of these. It remains understood, however, that the affixing of this mark and compliance with the templates are a sine qua noncondition for the delivery of the license.

They recalled the obligatory passage at the Ndiago point and the erection of the Polish port checkpoint as obligatory passage on the way to and from fishing operations.

For the 6% landings, the Senegalese side informed that the 3 rotation lists for January are ready and will be transmitted as soon as activities start. Also, all arrangements are made for the arrival of the first pirogues within the first 10 days after the official start of fishing operations. Likewise, the decision was made by the Senegalese authorities to immediately withdraw the license of any fisherman who does not respect this commitment. Regarding fines, the two parties recalled the involvement of the governor of Saint Louis and the wali of Trarza for the terms of payment of fines from past fishing campaigns. For this year, all fines will be processed in accordance with Mauritanian legislation, namely the immobilization of the pirogue until the fine is paid.

Finally, the two parties agreed to meet in a technical meeting to monitor and evaluate the fishing protocol in the last decade of March 2024.