Case 4-4 Central government intervention: case of the extended management of octopus resources in the department of Mbour

extended management of octopus resources, setting of closed season, fishers’ group, fishmongers’ group, Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, CRODT

In 2012, while the extended management of octopus resources was underway in the department of Mbour in Senegal, the closed season was postponed by a group of fish traders who wanted to prioritise their commercial activities. Concerned about this situation, the central government intervened in the fisheries resource management activities and the closed season was re-established. This case study presents the details. 

In 2011, when the extended management of octopus resources was underway in the department of Mbour with the support of the JICA COGEPAS project, three CLPAs in Joal, Sindia and Mbour implemented a closed season for octopus fishing from 1 November to 20 November, and with the support of fisheries export companies and the World Bank, installed 3,800 octopus pots for spawning. Given that the octopus spawning season is considered to be from September to October, if the fishery is not closed during this period, it is not sensible in terms of resource conservation. Thus, there was a conflict between the fishers’ group who took the lead in managing the resources and the fishmongers’ group who gave priority to business.

In 2012, the Joal CLPA aimed to set a closed season from 10 September to 10 October, but a group of fishmongers expressed their wish to postpone the closed season to October, which led to a revision of the closed season. The Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy felt that central government would intervene if the departmental governor, who was the representative of the CLPA, could not decide on fixing the period of closure and did not want to take responsibility for the fisheries resources. Subsequently, the Mbour department reached a compromise with the group of fishmongers and took the decision to set a closed season from 15 October to 15 November.

On 19 September 2012, the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy issued a circular stating the following: 

(1) The closed season for octopus fishing runs from 1 October to 30 November 2012,

(2) the Directorate of Fisheries (DPM) specifies in an order that the production, distribution and trade of octopus are suspended during this period and 

(3) A committee is set up to control fishing vessels that do not respect the closed season.

After a meeting between the Minister and representatives of the Directorate of Fisheries, CRODT and other fishing organisations, it was agreed that the closed season for octopus fishing would run from 1 October to 30 November. However, owing to the lengthy legal procedure, the ban actually took effect from 20 October to 30 November. As a result, the ban on octopus fishing was applied not only in the department of Mbour, but also in Lompoul in the north and Djifer in the south.

While some fishers and fishmongers have complained about the central government’s intervention in setting the closed season for octopus fishing, the closure of the octopus fishery has generally been well respected. To also ensure the effectiveness of the central government’s intervention in fisheries resource management at the national level, it is important to reflect the will of the fishers, fishmongers and other stakeholders on the ground in the decision-making process.

Chapter 4 Strengthening the role and practical capacity of administration

4.2 Development of a legal framework for resource management

Coordinate opinions with relevant ministries and agencies, and proceed with the elaboration of the drafts prepared so that they are ready for deliberation by the Assembly. Advance procedures for formal approval of the resource management policies and systems developed through national laws and regulations and state ordinances. Discuss specific procedures with resource management organisations and fisheries stakeholders in advance of promulgation and implementation.

In co-management of fishery resources led by local residents as resource users, there are times when different opinions cannot be reconciled owing to differences of interest between stakeholders such as fishermen, processors, and traders. In this case, the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, the central government agency, took the initiative to coordinate opinions under such circumstances. This case is instructive in considering the practical procedures for co-management of fishery resources.