The European Commission issued Senegal a yellow card on Monday for insufficient cooperation in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The EU has identified Senegal as a non-cooperating country in the fight against IUU fishing.
“Deficiencies […] relate to vessels flying the flag of Senegal and operating in waters outside the country's jurisdiction, as well as in the controls carried out on foreign fishing vessels at Dakar port,” the document read.
However, the yellow card does not entail measures affecting trade and gives Senegal the opportunity to correct the situation. The commission also said it's opening a formal dialogue with Senegal and is ready to support the country in the fight against IUU fishing.
At the same time, if Senegal does not act, the commission could issue a red card, which would lead to a ban on seafood imports from the country into the European Union.
Earlier, newly elected Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, known for his promise to build a "re-invented partnership with the EU," announced an in-depth reform of key sectors of the national economy, including fisheries.
This month, Faye said his country will evaluate fishing agreements and licenses negotiated with its partners, including the European Union, to ensure that they are optimized to benefit the industry.
A fishing treaty between Senegal and the European Union, which expires in November this year, allows European vessels to fish for tuna and black hake in certain areas off the coast of Senegal.
Since the signing of the pact in 2019, both European and Senegalese media have accused European vessels of overfishing species sought by Senegalese artisanal fishermen, resulting in unemployment and illegal migration.