Senegal is embarking on a significant initiative to reinvigorate its oceanographic and fisheries research capabilities, centered around the upcoming rehabilitation of its vital research vessel, the ITAF Dème. This strategic floating laboratory, a cornerstone of the national maritime scientific infrastructure, particularly for the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center (CRODT) under the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA), has been out of commission since November 2022.
A recent official visit on May 14, 2026, saw Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, inspect the vessel at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. The purpose of his visit was to assess the prospects for returning this crucial scientific asset to active service.
The ITAF Dème: a strategic asset for fisheries and the blue economy
The ITAF Dème plays an indispensable role in the sustainable management of Senegal’s marine resources. Its missions encompass vital activities such as evaluating fish stocks, monitoring marine ecosystems, gathering essential oceanographic and environmental data, and training both technical and scientific teams.
Beyond its scientific mandate, the vessel is a symbol of national sovereignty. It empowers Senegal to generate its own comprehensive maritime data, reducing reliance on external expertise. Furthermore, it reinforces the nation’s regional leadership in oceanographic and fisheries research across the West African sub-region.
However, the vessel’s immobilization since November 2022 has severely hampered critical scientific operations at sea, including oceanographic expeditions and regular monitoring of fish stocks, a situation that has caused considerable concern.
Ministerial inspection accelerates vessel’s return to service
The inspection mission, led by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, included other key figures such as Dr. Moustapha Guèye, Director-General of ISRA; Youssoupha Bâ, Secretary-General of ISRA; and Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, alongside his technical team.
During the visit, Commander Seydina Hamza Amar, the vessel’s captain, provided a comprehensive technical overview. His assessment, deemed reassuring by the authorities present, confirmed that the ITAF Dème is technically recoverable and can be brought back into service through appropriate rehabilitation efforts. Commander Amar affirmed that the vessel retains the necessary capacities to resume its scientific missions at sea.
The state reaffirms its commitment to fisheries research
Following a thorough inspection of the vessel’s facilities and scientific equipment, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne reiterated the government’s firm commitment to bolstering national maritime scientific research capabilities. He emphasized that while a project to acquire a new research vessel is currently underway, the government remains dedicated to rehabilitating the ITAF Dème. This dual approach aims to establish the vessel as a cornerstone for sustainable fisheries management and the expansion of Senegal’s blue economy.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the strategic importance of the fisheries sector to the national economy, underscoring why the nation’s highest authorities are dedicating particular attention to this vessel.
CRODT highlights consequences of vessel’s inactivity
Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, welcomed the official visit, hailing it as a powerful signal of support for oceanographic and fisheries research. He viewed the presence of ministerial authorities aboard the ITAF Dème as a clear recognition of scientific research’s strategic role in public policies concerning fisheries and the maritime economy.
Dr. Ndour also elaborated on the significant economic and scientific ramifications stemming from the inactivity of Senegal’s sole national fisheries research vessel. He specifically noted that determining fish surpluses, crucial for negotiating profitable fishing agreements for the national economy, relies on stock assessment campaigns that are presently difficult to conduct. Furthermore, Senegal’s regional leadership in oceanographic and fisheries research has been severely impacted by the halt in scientific campaigns previously carried out by the ITAF Dème across the sub-region.
Ultimately, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour expressed optimism that the proactive engagement by ministerial authorities opens promising avenues for progressively addressing the challenges facing oceanographic and fisheries research, particularly concerning scientific equipment, operational capacities, and marine resource monitoring.
