On the occasion of the celebration of World Oceans Day, this Wednesday June 08, 2022, CAOPA in partnership with the School Government of the Centre d’application Abbé David Boilat of Mbour, Senegal, organized an awareness day to promote sustainable small-scale fisheries.
The theme chosen: “ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHING!
This was an opportunity for the pupils of the Abbé David BOILAT School to advocate for all the children of the world, of Africa and of Senegal.
This awareness day took place through a rich and varied program:
- Performance of the national anthem
- Welcome by the President of the School Government
- 1st table :
- Interpellations
- Explanations
- Song
- Sketch 1 about the mangrove
- Poem
- Sketch 2: the risks of oil and gas exploitation off the coast of Senegal on artisanal fishing
- Poem: Complaints of the sea
- Sketch 3: as a song
- Resolution
Nous vous proposons deux éléments de plaidoyer des élèves à l’endroit des décideurs et des autres parties prenantes.
We propose two elements of advocacy by students to decision-makers and other stakeholders.
1- WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL GOVERNMENT
– Dear partners of CAOPA
– Ladies and Gentlemen, dear guests
– Beloved teachers of the Abbé David BOILAT training school
“In life, there is no chance; but there are appointments! I quoted President Abdou DIOUF in his memoirs. Indeed, today, on Ocean Day, we are holding this awareness-raising activity so that the voice of children is heard in these more than difficult times for fishing.
This vital sector is under attack from all sides. Its resources are dwindling and expose millions of people who make their living from it. What will happen to the fishing industry at this rate? What will happen to the families who can only access fish to improve their meals? Will there soon be fish in our bowls or on our plates? Will the national dish of Senegal, “thiébou dieun”, disappear?
Dear authorities, and you adults, these questions are addressed to you. The earth and everything on it has been given to mankind to use but not to misuse.
This is a harsh reality for us children. What sea will you leave? By strangling it, one has the impression that the sea is angry and is advancing on dry land. Please stop the carnage. Please think of the future. What will you leave us, your children, as a legacy?
Our country and its leaders are being challenged with the exploitation of oil and gas along our coast. We beg you to take all appropriate measures to protect the ecosystem. Leaks and other tests with hydrocarbons are a serious threat to fishing.
It is of course important to take advantage of this windfall to develop the country, especially in these times of scarcity and increases in prices, but this great leap forward must be sustainable so that our children can benefit from it later.
We, students of the school of application, have participated in the reforestation of the mangrove in the marine protected area of Joal – Fadiouth. This is our participation in the efforts to defend and reproduce fishery resources. We therefore ask everyone to play their part. This country is ours and we must work for its emergence.
Dear partners, dear guests in your ranks, ranks and qualities, thank you for all that you will do to relay our concerns, our worries to the authorities for firm measures for the benefit of the whole population.
May this day allow us to move lines?
I thank you for your kind attention.
The President of the School Government
Alassane DIABANG
2- RESOLUTION
Dear authorities, Dear partners
On reading the actions to be undertaken for a sustainable artisanal fishery, we, the students of the Abbé David BOILAT school in Mbour, have come to realize the difficulties of the artisanal fishery which can be seen through the depletion of the resource,
Noting the difficulties of artisanal fishing which can be seen through the scarcity of the resource
- Considering the fishing policies which are not always in favor of the populations
- Being aware of unsuitable fishing practices
- Knowing that millions of people involved in this sector are threatened;
Propose to all actors to:
Chairperson of the session
– Ensure transparency in fisheries management.
– Better monitor our coasts to avoid fraud and illegal fishing
– Support positive initiatives to preserve the resource
– Allow artisanal fishing boats to have an exclusion zone
– Improve the working conditions and participation of women in the sector
– Ensure the active participation of the population in decision-making.
– Supporting aquaculture
In short, to ensure that there will be fish in our bowls and plates tomorrow.
Done in Mbour this 8th June 2022