Nouakchott, Mauritania — September 26, 2024: A three-day high-level stakeholder engagement concluded today at the Hayatt Hotel in Nouakchott, focusing on improving governance and promoting local ownership of Mauritania’s industrial fishing sector. The event, part of a broader initiative supported by the U.S. Department of State, was spearheaded by the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa and the Centre for Coastal Management (CCM) of the University of Cape Coast, with local support from the Mauritanie 2000 organization.
The final day of discussions opened with remarks from Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, the Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) project lead, and the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, who emphasized the importance of local control over the sector. Presentations by maritime experts, including M. Babana Yahya and Prof. Soumaré Assane, highlighted strategies to enhance Mauritania’s Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) system and the need for national ownership of industrial fishing operations.
Participants outlined actionable steps to reform the legislative framework and strengthen local capacity. The workshop concluded with key recommendations presented by Dr. Kamal-Deen and Dr. Rodrigue Pelebe, aimed at fostering sustainable development and economic growth through improved maritime governance.
The event closed with a renewed commitment to ensuring Mauritania’s fisheries are sustainably managed by and for its people.