Senegal is signaling a strong commitment to revitalizing its crucial fisheries and oceanographic research initiatives through the upcoming rehabilitation of the ITAF Dème research vessel. This strategic floating laboratory, which has been out of commission since November 2022, remains an indispensable asset for the nation’s maritime scientific framework, particularly for the Dakar-Thiaroye Oceanographic Research Center (CRODT) within the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA).
On May 14, 2026, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne, Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, undertook an official inspection of the vessel at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. His visit aimed to assess the viability and prospects of bringing this vital scientific infrastructure back into active service.
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 marine resources across Senegal. Its missions encompass evaluating fish stocks, monitoring marine ecosystems, gathering essential oceanographic and environmental data, and providing training for technical and scientific teams.
Beyond its scientific mandate, this vessel holds significant importance for national sovereignty. It empowers Senegal to generate its own comprehensive maritime data, reducing reliance on external expertise, and simultaneously reinforces its regional leadership in fisheries and oceanographic research throughout West Africa.
However, the vessel’s immobilization since November 2022 has severely hampered critical scientific operations at sea, including essential oceanographic campaigns and the regular monitoring of fish stocks, a situation that has caused considerable concern.
Ministerial visit to accelerate 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 ISRA; and Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, alongside his technical team.
During the inspection, Commander Seydina Hamza Amar provided a comprehensive technical overview of the vessel. His presentation, which authorities found reassuring, confirmed that the ITAF Dème is technically salvageable and can be returned to service through appropriate rehabilitation efforts. He affirmed that the vessel retains the necessary capabilities to resume its vital 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 state’s unwavering commitment to bolstering national capacities in marine scientific research.
He emphasized that, concurrently with an ongoing project to acquire a new research vessel, the government is fully resolved to rehabilitate the ITAF Dème. This dual approach aims to establish the vessel as a cornerstone for the sustainable management of fisheries 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 the high-level attention and priority accorded to this vessel by the nation’s top authorities.
CRODT alerts on consequences of vessel immobilization
For his part, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, Director of CRODT, lauded the official visit, viewing it as a powerful affirmation of support for fisheries and oceanographic research. He stated that the presence of ministerial authorities aboard the ITAF Dème underscores a growing recognition of scientific research’s strategic role in public policies related to fisheries and the maritime economy.
Dr. Ndour also underscored the significant economic and scientific repercussions 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 difficult to conduct. Furthermore, Senegal’s regional leadership in fisheries and oceanographic research has been severely impacted by the halt of scientific campaigns previously conducted by the ITAF Dème throughout the sub-region.
Finally, Dr. Ismaïla Ndour expressed optimism that the proactive engagement by ministerial authorities opens promising avenues for progressively addressing the challenges confronting fisheries and oceanographic research, particularly concerning scientific equipment, operational capabilities, and marine resource monitoring.
