Senegal is poised to reinvigorate its commitment to fisheries and oceanographic research through the impending rehabilitation of the research vessel ITAF Dème. This strategic move was recently highlighted in a press statement. The ITAF Dème, a vital floating laboratory, has been out of commission since November 2022, yet it remains an indispensable asset for the nation’s maritime scientific endeavors, particularly for the Centre de Recherches Océanographiques Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT), an arm of the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA).
Official documents confirm 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 Port autonome de Dakar. The purpose of his visit was to assess the prospects for returning this crucial scientific infrastructure to active service.
The ITAF Dème vessel: a pivotal instrument for sustainable fishing and the blue economy
The ITAF Dème plays a central role in the sustainable management of Senegal’s marine resources. Its missions encompass evaluating fish stocks, monitoring marine ecosystems, gathering vital oceanographic and environmental data, and training technical and scientific personnel. This vessel is not merely a scientific tool; it also represents a strategic pillar of national sovereignty.
By generating its own maritime data, Senegal can reduce its reliance on foreign expertise, thereby strengthening its regional leadership in fisheries and oceanographic research across West Africa. However, the vessel’s immobilization since late 2022 has significantly hampered scientific activities at sea, disrupting essential oceanographic campaigns and regular monitoring of fish stocks.
A ministerial visit to expedite the 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 the institution; and Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, alongside his technical team.
During the meeting, Commander Seydina Hamza Amar, the vessel’s captain, provided a comprehensive technical overview of the ITAF Dème. His presentation, deemed reassuring by the authorities, affirmed that the vessel is technically recoverable and can be brought back into service through appropriate rehabilitation efforts. He emphasized that the ship retains the necessary capabilities to resume its scientific missions at sea.
The state reaffirms its dedication to fisheries research
Following a thorough inspection of the vessel’s facilities and scientific equipment, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering national capacities in maritime scientific research. He indicated that, in conjunction with an 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 fisheries resources and the advancement of Senegal’s blue economy.
The Secretary General also underscored the critical importance of the fishing sector to the national economy, explaining why the nation’s highest authorities are dedicating such significant attention to this vessel.
CRODT highlights consequences of vessel immobilization
For his part, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour welcomed the official visit, viewing it as a powerful affirmation of support for fisheries and oceanographic research. He suggested that the presence of ministerial authorities aboard the ITAF Dème signifies a growing recognition of scientific research’s strategic role in public policies concerning fishing and the maritime economy.
The CRODT Director also stressed the substantial economic and scientific ramifications stemming from the immobilization of Senegal’s sole national fisheries research vessel. He pointed out that determining fisheries surpluses, essential for securing 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 has been severely impacted by the halt of scientific campaigns conducted by the ITAF Dème in the sub-region.
Ultimately, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour concluded that the momentum generated by the ministerial authorities offers promising avenues for progressively overcoming the challenges facing fisheries and oceanographic research, particularly regarding scientific equipment, operational capabilities, and marine resource monitoring.
