La pêche artisanale au bord du gouffre : entre pénurie de poisson et défis énergétiques
A historical pillar of food security and the national economy, Senegalese artisanal fishing is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. The depletion of fish stocks, exacerbated by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, now threatens the survival of coastal communities and weakens the entire fishing industry.
On the ground, alarm bells are ringing. Industry stakeholders are denouncing unsustainable practices such as catching undergrown fish, failing to respect minimum sizes, and violating closed seasons. This pressure on the resource is paradoxically transforming Senegal into a net importer of fish, now sourcing its supplies from Morocco, Argentina, and China.
A devastating social and human impact
This crisis is not only ecological; it is profoundly social. Soaring fish prices in local markets are jeopardizing access to food for households. Women fish processors are struggling to find raw materials, while the closure of several industrial plants is fueling unemployment. Even more tragically, despair is driving many young fishermen toward irregular migration, risking their lives.
“Young fishermen are spending more and more to travel further afield and earning less and less,” laments Daouda Ndiaye, communications officer for CONIPAS. To try to stem this decline, the government has established Local Artisanal Fishing Councils (CLPA) and conservation programs such as the “Cold Weather Program.” However, these initiatives are struggling to address the scale of the problem.
The new challenge of coexisting with oil and gas
The outlook is darkening further with the upcoming start of offshore oil and gas production. Fishing communities fear a reduction in their fishing grounds and major environmental impacts. According to Mamadou Goudiaby, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Fisheries, establishing an inclusive dialogue has become imperative to guarantee peaceful coexistence between fishing activities and the extractive industry.
Faced with this urgent situation, CONIPAS is currently finalizing its 2026–2029 strategic plan. This roadmap aims to restore the sustainability of resources and strengthen governance in the sector. For Senegalese fisheries, engaged in a race against time, the challenge now is to avoid complete collapse.
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Quand sont partis Vous dites la même chose
maa warou . Diaxlé ba Diomy..... C´est ousmane SONKO qui nous avait promis des poissons en abondance ....Ndékété yo ... Patrice waxal bokk
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