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# High-level meeting on advancing awareness and strategies for addressing crimes in the West African fisheries sector

Cecilia Rossa, Patrice Brehmer, François Patuel

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Cecilia Rossa, Patrice Brehmer, François Patuel. High-level meeting on advancing awareness and strategies for addressing crimes in the West African fisheries sector. 2024. hal-04821850

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Submitted on 5 Dec 2024

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**High-level meeting on advancing awareness and strategies for addressing crimes in the West African fisheries sector**

Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission, headquarters, 28 November, Dakar, Senegal

**Sub-Regional workshop on data collection on crimes in the fisheries sector**

Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission, headquarters, 26 – 27 November, Dakar, Senegal

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This event is hosted under the honorary patronage of
His Excellency **Dr Khallahi BRAHIM**, Permanent Secretary of SRFC
and **Dr Amado Philip de ANDRÉS**, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa

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RÉPUBLIQUE
FRANÇAISE

Liberté
Fertilité
Fronteràlie

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The event is funded by France, the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union

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## 1. Background

The fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes significantly to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region's economy, adding over 15% to the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with approximately 3% of the economically active rural population relying on this sector.<fnref n="1" /> In West Africa, fishing activities, mostly in the marine artisanal subsector, are a major contributor to GDP, with high overall contributions to Ghana, Mauritania, and Sierra Leone. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also estimated that the fisheries and aquaculture sector employs about 12.3 million people on the continent<fnref n="2" />.

However, the fisheries sector also serves as a significant vector for crime, exposing the region to a wide range of criminal activities. These include offences directly linked to the sector's operations, such as illegal fishing practices that violate national and regional laws. Additionally, there are crimes of diversion within the value chain, including corruption, money laundering, and document, tax, and customs fraud. Beyond these, the sector acts as a facilitator for severe criminal activities like drug and weapons trafficking, trafficking in persons (TIP), and smuggling of migrants (SOM), often carried out via fishing vessels and frequently connected to organised crime networks<fnref n="3" />. These crimes not only jeopardise regional stability and development but also escalate tensions, as competition over fishing resources often leads to violence among communities and conflicts with law enforcement, particularly in border areas. For example, in 2018, a conflict erupted in Saint-Louis, Senegal, after Mauritanian coastguards shot a young Senegalese fisherman, sparking violent protests and attacks on Mauritanian-owned businesses.<fnref n="4" />

### a. Data as a strategic asset

In the fight against crimes in the fishery sector, leveraging data as a strategic asset is paramount to crafting evidence-based, impactful, and sustainable responses. The collection and analysis of data underpin the development of targeted interventions that accurately address the multifaceted challenges posed by crimes in this sector, including the corruption that often facilitates these offences. Research plays a crucial role in this endeavour, providing a foundation upon which policies and interventions can be constructed with precision and relevance. By producing comprehensive datasets — spanning from catch volumes and fishing efforts to patterns of criminal activities and corruption risks— stakeholders can identify vulnerabilities within fisheries management systems, including interactions and processes susceptible to exploitation. This insight allows for an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing regulations, an identification of gaps where corruption may flourish, and a forecasting of trends in illegal fishing practices.

This approach ensures that responses are not only grounded in the reality of current practices but are also adaptable to evolving threats, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of fisheries management efforts. Ultimately, treating data as a strategic asset empowers policymakers, enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders to deploy resources more efficiently, enact measures that address both the root causes of crimes and the corruption that enables them, and foster a culture of compliance to protect marine resources for future generations.

<footnote n="1">¹ ECOWAS Commission. *Comprehensive Strategic Framework for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development*. Abuja: ECOWAS Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2019. 13p.
https://ecowap.ecowas.int/media/ecowap/file_document/2019_Regional_strategy_Fisheries_Aquaculture_CSFS-FAD_EN.pdf</footnote>

<footnote n="2">² FAO, *The Value of African Fisheries*, May 30, 2014.</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³ UNODC, UNODC approach to crimes in the fisheries sector
https://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/UNODC_Approach_to_Crimes_in the_Fisheries Sector.pdf</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴ VOA Afrique. *Manifestation au Sénégal après la mort d'un pêcheur tué par des garde-côtes mauritaniens*. 29 January 2018,
https://www.voaafrique.com/a/manifestation-apres-la-mort-d-un-pecheur-tue-par-garde-cotes-mauritaniens/4229700.html</footnote>
## b. UNODC, SRFC and FAO - A collaborative approach

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are jointly organising a regional capacity-building workshop focused on enhancing data collection on crimes in the fisheries sector. This workshop will bring together national focal points from across the region to strengthen capabilities in producing, collecting, analysing, and disseminating data related to crimes in the fishery sector. Through this initiative, the SRFC's regional expertise, UNODC's criminal justice insights, and FAO's commitment to sustainable fisheries management are combined to address key issues impacting the sector.

The project takes a comprehensive approach to combating a range of crimes affecting the fisheries industry, including illegal fishing, drug and weapons trafficking, trafficking in persons (TIP), and smuggling of migrants (SOM), while also addressing corruption as a key facilitator of these offences. A central element of this collaboration is the development and deployment of the SRFC-managed Dashboard, an essential tool that promotes transparency by supporting robust data collection, analysis, and sharing. This integrated approach enhances the sustainability, justice, and security of the fisheries sector across SRFC member states.

## c. The Dashboard: an information system of the SRFC

The Dashboard managed and hosted by the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), represents a pivotal online database developed to support effective fisheries management by aggregating quantitative data. Its creation culminated in a participatory process that engaged stakeholders in the design phase, providing necessary equipment and delivering comprehensive training across all participating countries. This collaborative effort has led to a platform rich in data points crucial for addressing key issues within the fisheries sector. Licensing and registration violations include operating without a proper license, unauthorised license transfers between ships, and failure to register. It also catalogues illegal fishing activities, highlighting fishing instances within protected marine areas, during closed seasons, and the capture of endangered or prohibited species in forbidden zones. Additionally, The Dashboard sheds light on prohibited fishing techniques and methods, underlining its role as a comprehensive tool for monitoring and enhancing fisheries management practices.

## d. Expanding the scope: tackling broader crimes in the fisheries sector

To build upon the solid foundation laid by The Dashboard, we need to expand our investigative and monitoring initiatives to encompass a broader spectrum of crimes linked to and impacting the fisheries sector. This effort is intended to address not only direct infractions in fishing practices but also the complex network of criminal activities that exploit the fisheries value chain for illicit purposes. Key areas of focus include corruption, which acts as a facilitator for illegal operations and undermines the integrity of fisheries management. Additionally, we are focusing on severe issues such as human trafficking and smuggling of migrants via fishing vessels, activities often orchestrated by organised criminal networks.

By integrating these additional dimensions of criminal activity—and the different forms of corruption that enable them—into our monitoring and analysis framework, we aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding and deliver a robust response to the challenges in fisheries management and enforcement.
## 2. General Objective

The regional capacity-building workshop aims to enhance national capabilities in collecting and sharing data pertinent to crimes in the fisheries sector, particularly illegal fishing, crimes in the fisheries value chain, and crimes associated with the fisheries sector. The workshop aims to facilitate the development of evidence-based prevention policies and strategic responses to organised crime in the fisheries sector by producing and updating data on crimes in the fishery sector.

## 3. Expected Results

a) Enhanced data collection and reporting: Focal points will better understand how to effectively utilise the Dashboard to report and analyse fisheries management data and associated crimes. This includes a comprehensive grasp of documenting licensing violations and other forms of corruption; illegal fishing activities and using prohibited fishing techniques.

b) Broadened scope of crime monitoring: The workshop will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and report on crimes within the fisheries sector. This expansion beyond traditional illegal fishing crimes to crimes of diversion across the value chain and crimes associated with the fishing sector as a vector or facilitator represents a significant step forward in holistic sector management.

c) Improved stakeholder collaboration: The workshop aims to strengthen the partnership among focal points from the SRFC's member states by engaging in a participatory process. This collaborative framework is crucial for sharing intelligence, strategies, and challenges related to fisheries crime, leading to more effective and coordinated enforcement actions.

d) Development of a strategic action plan: The workshop is expected to culminate in the creation of a strategic action plan that outlines clear, prioritized steps for enhancing the quality and quantity of data submitted to the Dashboard, broadening the scope of crime monitoring, and strengthening collaborative efforts among member states. To ensure follow-up and accountability, the action plan will assign ownership and responsibilities to specific focal points, fostering ongoing commitment and progress.

e) Increased awareness and capacity building: The workshop will raise participants' awareness about the importance of combating illegal fishing and the broader spectrum of crimes associated with the fisheries sector. Comprehensive training and discussions will build the capacity of focal points to tackle these issues more effectively within their respective jurisdictions.

## 4. Participants

Member or representative of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission Coordinating Committee of the Ministry Council and relevant authorities involved in data collection of crimes in the fishery sector from different institutions (customs, navy, police, etc.) from the seven member states of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission: Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
## 5. Event organisation and sponsorship

The event is hosted and organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), and is funded by France, Norway, and the European Union. The funding comes from different Programmes: "The Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP<fnref n="5" />)”, the “Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE<fnref n="6" />, UNODC)”, and the “Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Programme (TIP/SOM<fnref n="7" />)".

**Organising committee**

* Arame Barry, UNODC ROSEN

* Patrice Brehmer, SRFC c/o IRD

* Cheikh Dia, SRFC

* François Patuel, UNODC ROSEN

* Cecilia Rossa, UNODC ROSEN

* Mouhamadou Seck, SRFC

* Oulymatou Soko, SRFC

**Scientific committee**

* Dr Dyhia Belhabib, UNODC Consultant

* Dr Patrice Brehmer, SRFC c/o IRD

* Abdou Khadir Diakhate, SRFC

* François Patuel, UNODC ROSEN

* Cecilia Rossa, UNODC ROSEN

* Lejda Toci, UNODC HQ

**Communication committee**

* Maria Andrade, SRFC

* Ouseynou Diankha, SRFC

* Cecilia Rossa, UNODC ROSEN

**Technical committee**

* Toussainte Boissy, SRFC

* Ouseynou Diankha, SRFC

* Lamine Fall, SRFC

## 6. Venue

Both the Workshop and the high-level meeting will be conducted in the conference room at the ground floor of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission, headquarters, Dakar, Senegal.

**Mail**: 116 allées Khalifa Babacar Sy, Dakar 25485. **Google Map**: https://maps.app Goo.gl/i5rNYRpqHpGehgWU7 **Plus code**: PGCR+QR Dakar. **GPS**: 14.721953260769595, -17.457828714727988 **Tel.**: (+221) 33 864 04 77

**Zoom invitation** 26 novembre 08:45 - 18:00. Every day until 28 Nov. 2024

https://ird-fr.zoom.us/j/93757324723?pwd=evHZDt2SwDLyuA865b0HmZoF98Vreo.1

Meeting ID: 937 5732 4723
Secret code: 925425

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<footnote n="5">⁵ https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/piracy/index.html</footnote>

<footnote n="6">⁶ https://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/WG_TA_2024/Briefings/1_GPCAE.pdf</footnote>

<footnote n="7">⁷ https://www.unodc.org/conig/en/links/trafficking-in-persons-and-smuggling-of-migrants.html</footnote>
7. Agenda

26 November: Technical meeting day 1/2.

<table><thead><tr><td>Time</td><td>Activity</td><td>Details and Speakers</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>08.30</td><td>Welcome and registration</td><td>Greeting participants and facilitating registration</td></tr><tr><td>08.50</td><td>Welcoming remark</td><td>Representative of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime and Port Infrastructure (MPIMP), Senegal</td></tr><tr><td>09.00</td><td>Overview of the workshop objectives and expected outcomes</td><td>Mr. François Patuel, Head of the Research and Awareness Unit, UNODC ROSEN<br>Dr. Patrice Brehmer, Scientific Advisor of the Permanent Secretary of SRFC</td></tr><tr><td>09.30</td><td>Overview of crimes in the fishery sector in West Africa</td><td>Presentation of crimes in the fisheries sector and their impact on stability and development in West and Central Africa.<br>Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Consultant UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>10.00</td><td>Coffee Break</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10.15</td><td>Introduction to the Dashboard</td><td>Presentation on the Dashboard<br>Overview of the Dashboard's components, functionalities, challenges, and opportunities.<br>Mr. Zakar Fall, Dashboard SRFC Expert</td></tr><tr><td>10.45</td><td>Practical session on using the Dashboard/UNODC Tool</td><td>Hands-on training in data entry<br>Case studies on reporting licensing violations and illegal fishing activities.<br>All participants / Moderator: Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Consultant UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>12.00</td><td>Lunch</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>13.00</td><td>Continued data entry and review</td><td>Participants continue entering data, with facilitators providing guidance and answering questions. Includes peer review of data entered to ensure accuracy.<br>All participants / Moderator: Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Consultant UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>16.00</td><td>Coffee Break</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>16.15</td><td>Wrap-up and summary of Day 1</td><td>Recap of learnings and preparation for the WS day2 activities.<br>Mr. François Patuel, Head of the Research and Awareness Unit, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr></tbody></table>
27 November: Technical meeting, day 2/2.

<table><thead><tr><td>Time</td><td>Activity</td><td>Details and Speakers</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>09.00</td><td>Addressing Crimes that Affect the Environment: UNODC Global Programme on Crimes Affecting the Environment</td><td>Addressing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. Insights on organised crime's impact on environmental resources, security, and health<br>Dr. Lejda Toci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>09.20</td><td>Enhancing cooperation and combating fisheries crime: insights from the fishNET project</td><td>Overview of the FishNET initiative, which provides specialized trainings tailored to regional needs, and enhances cooperation among CCP Port Control Units and fisheries sector stakeholders.<br>Dr. Lejda Toci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>09.45</td><td>Broadening the scope of crime monitoring</td><td>Monitoring and analysis on further crimes in or associated with the fisheries sector: case studies on TIP/SOM via fishing vessels<br>Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Researcher, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>10.00</td><td>Coffee break</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10.15</td><td>Expanding the scope of data collection</td><td>Training in how to collect and share data on broader crimes such as drug trafficking and illegal evasion strategies<br>Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Researcher, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>12.00</td><td>Lunch</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>13.00</td><td>Continued data entry and review</td><td>Participants continue entering data, with facilitators providing guidance and answering questions. Includes peer review of data entered to ensure accuracy.<br>Mrs. Cecilia Rossa, Research and Awareness Specialist, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>14.00</td><td>Group discussion: Identifying challenges</td><td>Group assessment of challenges and gaps in collecting other types of data on crimes in the fishery sector<br>Mrs. Cecilia Rossa, Research and Awareness Specialist, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>15.00</td><td>Developing a strategic action plan</td><td>Workshop participants collaborate to outline a strategic action plan for implementing enhanced data collection and monitoring practices<br>Dr. Lejda Toci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>16.00</td><td>Coffee break</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><tr><td>16.15</td><td>Closing session</td><td>Participants will be invited to share their key takeaways from the workshop, encouraging reflection and active engagement. A summary of the main points will then be provided. The session will conclude with a discussion on the next steps and the way forward for implementing the strategic action plan.<br/>Dr. Lejda Toci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>17.30</td><td>Closing remark (End Day2)</td><td>Chair of the Coordination Committee of SRFC, Dr Anna Mbenga Cham, Director of the Fisheries Department of The Gambia at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources</td></tr></table>
**28 November:** High-level meeting on Advancing awareness and strategies for addressing crimes in the West African fisheries sector (Day 3). The meeting will be moderated by SRFC.

<table><thead><tr><td>Time</td><td>Activity</td><td>Details</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>08.30</td><td>Welcome</td><td>Greeting participants</td></tr><tr><td>09.30</td><td>Welcoming remark</td><td>Her Excellency, Dr Fatou Diouf, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime and Port Infrastructure, Senegal</td></tr><tr><td>09.40</td><td>Opening remark</td><td>Dr Amado de ANDRÉS, Regional Representative, UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa</td></tr><tr><td>09.50</td><td>Opening Speech</td><td>Dr Khallahi BRAHIM, Permanent Secretary, SRFC</td></tr><tr><td>10.00</td><td>Regional cooperation for fisheries management and combating IUU fishing: the role of the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC)</td><td>Dr Patrice Brehmer, Scientific Advisor of the Permanent Secretary of SRFC, IRD</td></tr><tr><td>10.10</td><td>Coffee break</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10.20</td><td>UNODC Approach to crimes in the fisheries sector</td><td>Dr Lejda Toci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC</td></tr><tr><td>10.35</td><td>FAO's Approach to promoting sustainable fisheries practices</td><td>Dr Amy Gaye, UN FAO, Regional Office for West Africa, FAO Senegal</td></tr><tr><td>10.45</td><td>Fostering collaboration and information sharing Strategies for enhancing collaboration among member states: tools for effective information sharing and joint monitoring efforts</td><td>Mr François Patuel, Head of the Research and Awareness Unit, UNODC ROSEN</td></tr><tr><td>10.55</td><td>Remarks by Their Excellences, the Ambassadors</td><td>Diplomatic representatives</td></tr><tr><td>11.55</td><td>Closing speech</td><td>Dr Amado de ANDRÉS, Regional Representative, UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa</td></tr><tr><td>12.00</td><td>Lunch</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>