The Deputy Director of Maritime Fisheries (DPM) of Senegal, Sidya DIOUF chaired, Friday, November 19, 2021, the opening of the Workshop, organized by the African Confederation of Professional Organizations of Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA), as a prelude to the World Fisheries Day.
Recognizing the importance of fish for food and nutritional security in Africa, Dr. Diouf stressed that “in the mechanisms to fight against hunger and poverty in the world, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommends an ecosystem approach in all fisheries, in particular, those artisanal by encouraging voluntary guidelines.
However, he notes that not all the potential is being exploited to ensure greater availability of fish for the populations.
This is why it mentions: “efforts to be made to effectively combat illegal fishing and bad fishing practices, the professionalization of some fishing trades, the setting up of improved artisanal landing points and processing sites to reduce post-harvest losses and the development of inland aquaculture.
For more information, CAOPA offers you the full text of his speech.
- Representative of the FAO
- President of CAOPA
- President of NGO Bread for the World
- Representatives of the universities
- Ladies and Gentlemen representatives of member countries
- Honourable guests, in your respective ranks, qualities and grades.
While I am delighted that the World Fishing Day for the year 2021 is being held here in Saly on Senegalese soil on November 19, 2021, I would like to pay tribute to the tradition of welcoming all those who have given us the privilege to share these moments of communion.
On behalf of the DPM, which led the delegation of Senegal and is currently participating in the work of ICCAT, which I have the honour to represent, it is with a particular commitment coupled with great interest that I preside over the opening of this important 3-day workshop whose main theme is “Let’s stand-up for a sustainable artisanal fisheries”, in view of the celebration of the World Fisheries Day.
Let me also pay special tribute to CAOPA, a regional economic integration organization for fisheries stakeholders who, through the TFPs, have provided significant support to ensure the revitalization of the fisheries sector, particularly the artisanal sector. I also congratulate the representatives of the member countries, notably the administration and the actors by their presence their adherence to the objectives of CAOPA.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Honourable Guests,
World Fisheries Day, what a great expression of recognition?
Thus, in New Delhi, fishermen and women workers of 33 countries created, on November 21, 1997, the world day as well as the world forum of fishermen and fishermen workers by insisting on the importance of the grouping of fishermen; a socio-professional category known for its individualism. At the beginning, organizations such as the National Collective of Fishermen of Senegal (CNPS), the Maritime Union of Fishermen (Canada), CONAPACH (Chile), the National Network of Fishermen of Mexico and the National Forum of Fishermen Workers of India had led this fight.
Thus, the organization of such a workshop bringing together 33 countries and such strategic partners as the FAO and universities for sustainable artisanal fisheries to celebrate World Fisheries Day is of obvious centrality and reflects the importance of the sector because of the importance of the contribution of the actors in terms of fleets and catches, almost all of which are landed for consumption by the populations in Africa.
These days go beyond this simple meeting episode: they correspond to a deep conviction, of a political nature. I believe that the key to the success of public policies in the fisheries sector can be summed up in two words: partnership and commitment.
Partnerships between the public authorities, the local authorities, the bodies and organizations in charge of the management of spaces and the implementation of public policies, but also with the users of fishing, as well as the associations of passionate citizens, defenders of the oceans’ cause, actors of participative sciences and of environmental education.
Naturally, fishermen have their place in this process. And political decisions are more accepted and applied when they are the result of dynamic compromises, of co-management at the level of the territories, of pragmatic and operational debates, in which everyone can see part of their expectations and claims recognized, but also draw reasons to continue their struggles.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Honourable Guests,
This innovation responds to an observation: the loss of biodiversity is one of the two major ecological challenges, along with global warming.
These two issues are closely linked, since part of the disappearance of plant and animal species is the consequence of climate change, and since part of this warming is due to the disappearance of environments that, by capturing CO2 or by creating microclimates, contribute to climate stability.
This is the case of forests, but also and especially, in our country, of wetlands.And the most important common point between these 2 dangers is that they are the consequence of human activities.This is an opportunity, because by changing behaviours, we can change the situation, and thus fight against global warming
And the first condition for changing behaviour is to raise awareness of the issue of biodiversity among the general public. On this point, it must be recognized that awareness of the issue of biodiversity is not as strong in public opinion as the need to fight against global warming.
Making citizens actors of biodiversity is an unavoidable objective: in this essential fight, we count on you, because you are wise experts of nature.The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations will go down in history as one of the most important acts of our countries and it is a great honour to present to you the way in which Senegal has committed itself to their implementation, in particular of the SDG 14.
It is now up to us to implement them.
In order to meet the targets set out in SDG 14, it is also imperative that Blue Economy has social objectives. Protecting the world’s marine resources also means not depriving small island states or artisanal fishermen of their wealth and sources of income.
Do not build the protection of fish stocks against fishermen, but with them. Do not think of the adaptation of coastal infrastructures against the coastal inhabitants, but with them. The oceans are our best allies, but we also know the threat they represent if we do not protect them. The only valid responses are collective. They are those where elected officials, companies, communities, unions, associations, researchers, build solutions together.
Senegal has chosen to commit itself to these communities. Such initiatives should be extended to other territories at all levels.The world’s population, which continues to grow, will depend more and more on marine resources. It is therefore imperative to protect and restore the health and productivity of oceans. Specific and ambitious investments in nature-based solutions are critical today.
This innovation answers to an observation: the loss of biodiversity constitutes one of the 2 major ecological challenges, with global warming.
These two issues are closely linked, since part of the disappearance of plant and animal species is the consequence of climate change, and since part of this warming is due to the disappearance of environments that, by capturing CO2 or creating microclimates, contribute to climate balance.
This is the case of forests, but also and especially, in our country, of wetlands. And the most important common point between these 2 dangers is that they are the consequence of human activities.
Ladies and gentlemen country representatives, dear guests,
I have the honour to recall that following the example of the African Union Commission and ECOWAS, the fisheries and aquaculture sector is now equipped, respectively, with a continental policy and a regional strategy for sustainable development of the sector. Fish contributes significantly to food and nutritional security in Africa.
In the mechanisms for fighting hunger and poverty in the world, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommends an ecosystem approach in all fisheries, particularly artisanal fisheries, by encouraging voluntary guidelines.
However, the full potential is not being exploited to ensure greater availability of fish for our populations.
I am thinking specifically of the efforts to be made to effectively combat illegal fishing and bad fishing practices, the professionalization of some fishing professions, the setting up of landing points and improved artisanal processing sites to reduce post-capture losses and the development of inland aquaculture.
The MPEM is working on the long term.
Faced with this manifest will, the process of development and modernization of the fisheries sector in Senegal is part of an international context marked by the adoption of new instruments aimed at the rational management and sustainable exploitation of marine resources through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Senegal, fishing contributes 3.2% to the national GDP and is the main export item with 204.43 billion in export revenues. The per capita consumption is 29.9 kg per year with more than 70% participation in the coverage of animal protein needs.
In order to meet the goals set out in SDG 14, it is also imperative that the blue economy has social objectives. Protecting the world’s marine resources also means not depriving small island states or small-scale fishermen of their wealth and sources of income.
Do not build the protection of fish stocks against fishermen, but with them. Do not think of the adaptation of coastal infrastructures against the coastal inhabitants, but with them. The oceans are our best allies, but we also know the threat they represent if we do not protect them. The only valid responses are collective. They are those where elected officials, companies, communities, unions, associations, researchers, build solutions together.
Senegal has chosen to commit itself to these communities. Such initiatives should be extended to other territories at all levels.
The world’s population, which continues to grow, will depend more and more on marine resources. It is therefore imperative to protect and restore the health and productivity of the oceans. Specific and ambitious investments in nature-based solutions are critical today.
It is aware of the virtuous effects on the other sectors of the national economy that its development entails that the Government of Senegal, has included fishing among the engines of growth of the national economy in the new economic and social development strategy of the Nation, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP).
Thus, under Axis I of the Emerging Senegal Plan, fishing and aquaculture activities, like those of other economic sectors, must contribute to the strengthening of food security, nutrition, wealth creation and employment.
It is within this framework that the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy has undertaken, in a responsible and inclusive approach, through co-management, important reforms of the sector aimed at involving more stakeholders in the rehabilitation of marine and coastal ecosystems and in the management of fishery resources for the well-being of the populations. As the other said: “to manage fish, it is necessary to manage the people who are directly involved in the exploitation of fish”.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Honorable Guests,
I remain convinced that we can take up the challenge, thanks to the involvement of all the Member States and the Technical and Financial Partners, all the actors of the fishing and aquaculture sector.
In conclusion, I call on the Senior Officials in the sectors related to the oceans to accentuate the sharing of experiences acquired at the national, regional and international levels in the implementation of the SDG 14.Senegal considers experience sharing as an important development resource and remains willing to do so with partners.The solutions that will be discussed in this major conference must materialize an irreversible commitment to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.The oceans must remain a source of life and well-being for the people
I cannot conclude without thanking the CAOPA team, ECOWAS, FAO and the other TFPs who have facilitated the organization of this session.I wish a full success to the works” and declare open the workshop on the theme “Let’s Stand-up for sustainable artisanal fisheries.
I thank you for your kind attention.