A delegation of five MEPs from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, led by its chairman, Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France), visited Senegal from 22 to 24 February to press for the proper implementation of the EU-Senegal fisheries partnership (see EUROPE 12883/5).
The MEPs met with the Senegalese Minister for Fisheries, the President of the National Assembly, local authorities and fishermen’s associations.
They refuted reports that the agreement would encourage the plundering of Senegalese fisheries resources, pointing out that the EU provides support to Senegalese artisanal fisheries.
“However, the delegation of MEPs found that the implementation of the agreement has stalled and that European vessels have still not received their licences for 2022”, a statement said. The MEPs also called for the immediate convening of the joint committee provided for in the agreement to resolve the problems identified.
Mr Karleskind also said that the fact that Senegal is signing a fisheries agreement with Turkey “is not an encouraging sign” for European fishermen in Senegal.
The rapporteur on this agreement, which has been in force since 2019, Izaskun Bilbao (Renew Europe, Spain), called for support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to be mobilised to help European vessels. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)