The Institut Océanographique Paul Ricard has taken part in the creation of a fish hatchery in Senegal in partnership with the Veolia Foundation in February 2025. Patricia Ricard was present. Here’s a look back at the event.
“I am delighted to announce the recent inauguration of the Mbodiène fish hatchery in Senegal, an innovative project in which I had the honour of participating as President of the Institut Océanographique Paul Ricard.
This initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Veolia Foundation, Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, the Agence Nationale de l’Aquaculture (ANA) and the Comité Interministériel de Lutte contre les Migrations Irrégulières (Interministerial Committee to Combat Irregular Migration), is the fruit of a public-private partnership and aims to promote sustainable aquaculture while strengthening local capacities, creating rural jobs for women and young people, many of whom try to leave the country and die on the way.
The hatchery has a production capacity of around 800,000 fry a year, and combines aquaculture and market gardening to meet the challenges of climate change, create economic value, respect the environment and guarantee food security. This programme already meets ten of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals.
I would like to stress the importance of transferring skills in the field of aquaculture in Senegal, in order to promote economic self-sufficiency and create opportunities for local communities.
This hatchery is also a school, for young people and those who were not able to go when they were young. Understanding the living world means ensuring a healthy future for generations to come. We are working to develop virtuous loops, such as permaquaculture, which recreates trophic and food chains, guaranteeing high-quality, traceable production.