Senegal is demonstrating a strong commitment to revitalizing its crucial fisheries and oceanographic research capabilities through the impending rehabilitation of the ITAF Dème research vessel. This strategic floating laboratory has been out of commission since November 2022, yet it remains an indispensable asset for the nation’s marine scientific infrastructure, particularly supporting the Centre de Recherches Océanographiques Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT) of the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA).

On May 14, 2026, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, conducted an official inspection of the vessel at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. His visit aimed to assess the viability and prospects for returning this vital scientific platform to active service.

The ITAF Dème vessel: a strategic asset for fisheries and the blue economy

The ITAF Dème research vessel performs a pivotal function in the sustainable management of Senegal’s marine resources. Its operations encompass critical activities such as assessing fish stocks, monitoring marine ecosystems, gathering essential oceanographic and environmental data, and providing training for technical and scientific personnel.

Beyond its scientific endeavors, this vessel holds significant strategic importance for national sovereignty. It empowers Senegal to generate its own comprehensive maritime data, thereby reducing reliance on external expertise. This capability simultaneously reinforces Senegal’s prominent regional standing 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, particularly disrupting crucial oceanographic campaigns and the consistent monitoring of fish stocks.

Ministerial visit to expedite vessel recommissioning

The delegation led by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy included 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 inspection, Captain Seydina Hamza Amar, the vessel’s commander, delivered a comprehensive technical assessment of the ship. His presentation, which authorities found reassuring, confirmed that the ITAF Dème is technically salvageable and can be returned to service following appropriate rehabilitation work.

Captain Amar assured officials that the vessel retains the fundamental capabilities required to resume its critical scientific missions at sea.

State reaffirms commitment to fisheries research

Following a thorough inspection of the vessel’s facilities and scientific equipment, Dr. Mamadou Abibou Diagne reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to bolstering national capabilities in maritime scientific research.

He emphasized that while a project for acquiring a new research vessel is currently underway, the government is equally resolute in rehabilitating the ITAF Dème. The aim is to position it as a cornerstone for the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the broader development of Senegal’s blue economy.

The Secretary General also underscored the fishing sector’s strategic importance to the national economy, clarifying why the nation’s highest authorities are dedicating significant attention to this particular vessel.

CRODT highlights consequences of vessel immobilization

Dr. Ismaïla Ndour, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the official visit, viewing it as a powerful affirmation of support for fisheries and oceanographic research. He believes the presence of ministerial authorities aboard the ITAF Dème signifies a growing recognition of scientific research’s strategic role within public policies concerning fisheries and the maritime economy.

The CRODT Director also stressed the considerable economic and scientific repercussions stemming from the immobilization of Senegal’s sole national fisheries research vessel. He specifically pointed out that determining fish stock surpluses, which is crucial for negotiating beneficial 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 significantly undermined by the cessation of scientific expeditions previously conducted by the ITAF Dème across the sub-region.

Finally, Dr. Ndour highlighted that the proactive engagement demonstrated by ministerial authorities offers promising avenues for progressively overcoming the challenges confronting fisheries and oceanographic research. These challenges include deficiencies in scientific equipment, operational capabilities, and the crucial monitoring of marine resources.