Senegal hosted the official launch of the AGIR-INN sub-regional project, a strategic initiative of the Commission subregional fisheries (CSRP) conducted under the WASOP program. Led by the Senegalese Minister of Fisheries, Dr. Fatou Diouf, this approach aims to strengthen the fight against illegal, unreported and unreported fishing regulated (IUU), a major scourge that threatens coastal economies and marine ecosystems in West Africa.

Dr Fatou Diouf recalled the extent of the losses generated by illegal fishing, which deprives African states of crucial resources everything by increasing the pressure on maritime areas that are already fragile. She has insisted on the urgent need for collective mobilization to protect heritage fisheries vital for food security and regional development.

Extending over four years, AGIR-INN plans a pooling of resources, the organization of joint operations of surveillance and strengthened sharing of information between the Member States of the CSRP. Guinea, speaking on behalf of the countries of the subregion, welcomed this initiative, recalling that losses associated with IUU fishing reach nearly 5 billion dollars each year.