Mauritania's Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Infrastructure, Aïssata Lam, accompanied by the Governor of the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region, Aïthifle Mohamedn Hadane, paid a visit to the Regional Fisheries Administration in Nouadhibou on October 31, 2026. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the administration's operations and identify the main challenges it faces in performing its tasks.
During the visit, the delegation was presented with an overview of the administration's establishment, tasks, and areas of expertise, as well as its administrative structure. They also reviewed annual statistics on fishing licenses and the most significant difficulties encountered by the administration, along with potential solutions to overcome these challenges and enhance its performance for the development of the sector at the regional level.
Minister Lam then chaired two separate meetings at the regional government's premises. The first meeting was with economic stakeholders in the fishing industry, while the second focused on the concerns and demands of representatives from maritime labor unions. Both meetings involved in-depth discussions, during which stakeholders, union leaders, and representatives from fishing associations addressed a range of issues and challenges related to the sector.
Key issues raised during the meetings included the congestion at the Gulf of Argoub port and the need for its expansion or the establishment of a new port dedicated to traditional fishing. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of classifying and qualifying fishermen, as well as providing them with training in maritime safety. They also requested a review of biological stop periods, the provision of financial support mechanisms for professionals through the creation of dedicated funds, and improved policies for marketing and exporting fish products.
The discussions also touched on the professional and social conditions of sailors, with union representatives emphasizing the need for a review of salaries, an update of the collective agreement, and reform of the retirement system. They also called for enhanced health insurance and social security, as well as accelerated classification of maritime professions and limitations on fish exports to ensure sufficient quantities for national markets.
In response to the various interventions, Minister Lam stated that these meetings aimed to listen directly to the concerns and demands of sector workers and investors, recognizing the importance of fishing in the country's economic cycle. She assured that all proposals and demands would be studied, prioritized, and addressed with suitable solutions. The minister also emphasized the importance of adopting a participatory approach that involves professional and union stakeholders in decision-making processes related to the sector.
Minister Lam was accompanied during the visit and meetings by the Governor of Nouadhibou, the Deputy Mayor of Nouadhibou, leaders of military and security agencies in the region, and directors-general of national institutions under the sector, as well as the commander of the Mauritanian Coast Guard and members of the minister's delegation.
Key points
- The Mauritanian Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Infrastructure, Aïssata Lam, visited the Regional Fisheries Administration in Nouadhibou to inspect its operations and address challenges faced by the sector.
- The minister chaired meetings with economic stakeholders and union representatives to discuss issues related to fishing, including port congestion, fisherman classification, and social conditions for sailors.
- The minister assured that all proposals and demands would be studied and addressed with suitable solutions, emphasizing the importance of a participatory approach in decision-making processes related to the sector.
