Senegal is demonstrating a robust commitment to reinvigorate its fisheries and oceanographic research capabilities through the upcoming rehabilitation of the ITAF Dème research vessel. This strategic floating laboratory, a vital component of the national maritime scientific infrastructure, particularly for the Centre de Recherches Océanographiques Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT) of the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), has been out of service since November 2022.
An official communication confirms that on May 14, 2026, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne, Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, conducted an official inspection of the vessel at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. The purpose of this visit was to assess the prospects for restoring this essential scientific asset to operational status.
The ITAF Dème vessel: a strategic instrument for fisheries and the blue economy
The ITAF Dème plays a pivotal role in the sustainable management of Senegal’s marine resources. Its functions include conducting campaigns for assessing fish stocks, monitoring marine ecosystems, gathering crucial oceanographic and environmental data, and training both technical and scientific teams.
Beyond its scientific mandate, this vessel holds significant national sovereignty implications. It empowers Senegal to generate its own maritime data, thereby reducing reliance on foreign expertise. This capability also solidifies the nation’s regional leadership in fisheries and oceanographic research across the West African sub-region.
However, the vessel’s immobilization since November 2022 has severely hampered vital scientific activities at sea, including scheduled oceanographic campaigns and the consistent monitoring of fish stocks, as noted in the official communication.
Ministerial visit to accelerate vessel’s return to service
The mission led by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy saw the participation of key figures, including Dr. Moustapha Guèye, Director General of ISRA; Youssoupha Bâ, Secretary General of ISRA; and Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, along with his technical team.
During the meeting, Seydina Hamza Amar, the vessel’s commander, provided a comprehensive technical overview of its condition. His presentation, deemed reassuring by the authorities, affirmed that the vessel is technically salvageable and that its return to service is achievable through appropriate rehabilitation efforts. He maintained that the vessel retains the necessary capabilities to resume its scientific missions at sea.
The state reaffirms its commitment to fisheries research
Following a thorough inspection of the vessel’s installations and scientific equipment, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening national maritime scientific research capacities. He underscored that, concurrently with the ongoing project to acquire a new research vessel, the government is resolute in rehabilitating the ITAF Dème. The aim is to position it as a cornerstone for the sustainable management of fish resources and the advancement of Senegal’s blue economy.
The Secretary General also highlighted the strategic importance of the fisheries sector to the national economy, explaining why the nation’s highest authorities are dedicating particular attention to this vessel.
CRODT alerts on consequences of vessel immobilization
For his part, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, commended the official visit, viewing it as a powerful signal in support of fisheries and oceanographic research. He emphasized that the presence of ministerial authorities aboard the ITAF Dème reflects a growing recognition of scientific research’s strategic role in public policies related to fishing and the maritime economy.
Dr. Ndour also detailed the significant economic and scientific ramifications stemming from the immobilization of Senegal’s sole national fisheries research vessel. He specifically pointed out that determining fish surpluses, which is essential for negotiating profitable fishing agreements for the national economy, relies on stock assessment campaigns that are currently struggling to proceed. Furthermore, Senegal’s regional leadership in fisheries and oceanographic research is severely impacted by the halt of scientific campaigns previously conducted by the ITAF Dème across the sub-region.
Finally, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour concluded that the momentum generated by the ministerial authorities offers encouraging prospects for progressively addressing the challenges confronting fisheries and oceanographic research, particularly concerning scientific equipment, operational capacities, and marine resource monitoring.
