Mauritanian Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Infrastructure Aïssata Lam conducted an inspection tour of various institutions and facilities under her ministry's jurisdiction in Nouadhibou on October 29, 2026. She was accompanied by the Governor of the Inchiri Region, Aïtfeile Mohamedna Hadane. The minister's tour began with a visit to the Marine Life Museum in the Kanseedu neighborhood, which is part of the Mauritanian Institute for Oceanographic Research and Fisheries.
At the museum, Minister Lam viewed exhibits featuring rare fish species, preserved specimens, seabirds, whales, sea turtles, and monk seals, as well as models of industrial and traditional fishing gear. She then attended a briefing at the institute, which covered its history, establishment, and assigned tasks. The minister also visited specialized laboratories focused on biology, environment, and fisheries resource assessment, where she received technical explanations on the status of fish stocks, exploitation levels, and fishing statistics.
The minister's tour continued with a visit to the site designated for the construction of the new deep-water port in Kanseedu. She received a presentation on the project's progress, financing, expected completion timeline, and overall area, as well as its strategic importance. The minister also inspected the supply management department of the National Company for Fish Distribution, where she learned about its storage capacity, types of stored fish, and distribution methods.
Minister Lam then visited the Mauritanian Coast Guard's harbor, located on the road connecting downtown Nouadhibou to Kanseedu. She received explanations on the facility's role in enhancing maritime surveillance and enforcing national sovereignty. The minister also observed a simulation exercise conducted by the Coast Guard, which included search and rescue operations and firefighting at sea.
As part of her visit, Minister Lam attended a briefing on the history and tasks of the Mauritanian Coast Guard, which include monitoring national coastlines and strengthening maritime surveillance. The minister also visited the Gulf of Arrachart Port, where she received a presentation on the port's establishment, objectives, and organizational structure, as well as its modernization project.
At the port, Minister Lam learned about the progress of the modernization project and the renovation of the old market, which is nearing completion. She also observed the ongoing efforts to digitize data on active vessels in the port and register them, following the census of over 8,000 ships. The minister was accompanied by several officials, including the Governor of Nouadhibou, the Deputy Mayor of Nouadhibou, and leaders of military and security agencies in the region.
The minister's tour concluded with an on-site assessment of the progress of the modernization project and the renovation of the old market. The visit aimed to enhance the ministry's understanding of the facilities and institutions under its jurisdiction and to promote the development of the fisheries sector in Mauritania.
Key points
- The minister inspected several institutions and facilities in Nouadhibou, including the Marine Life Museum and the Gulf of Arrachart Port.
- The visit aimed to promote the development of the fisheries sector in Mauritania.
- The minister was accompanied by several officials, including the Governor of Nouadhibou and leaders of military and security agencies in the region.
