Off the coast of Senegal, traditional fishing communities are facing severe challenges as fish stocks dwindle amid illegal and industrial fishing activities. The decline has had far-reaching consequences for local livelihoods, food security, and the national economy.

In Rufisque, a suburb of Dakar, 55-year-old fisherman Ibrahima Mar described how the disappearance of fish has not only erased generations of sustenance but also led to personal tragedy. Mar, a member of the Lebou ethnic group known for its fishing heritage, recounted the hardships brought on by the depletion of fish in the region. "The fish have been taken from our path," he said, expressing a loss of hope in sustaining his family’s traditional way of life.

Industrial vessels, including bottom trawlers largely registered under Senegalese flags but owned by foreign interests, have been identified as a major driver of overfishing. According to Bassirou Diarra, Senegal country manager for the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), many of these vessels ultimately belong to companies from countries such as Spain, Italy, France, China, and Turkey. These ships transport their catches abroad, depriving local markets and the wider economy of crucial fish supplies and revenue.

Illegal fishing practices have exacerbated the crisis. These include operating in prohibited maritime zones, using non-compliant nets, violating marine protected area regulations, and the granting of questionable fishing licenses. A 2025 report by the EJF indicated that approximately 57% of exploited fish populations in Senegal are in decline or collapse.

The scarcity of fish has pushed many from coastal communities toward desperate measures. The traditional pirogues—wooden canoes used by artisanal fishers—have become vessels for perilous migration attempts across the Atlantic to Europe. Mar shared the story of two of his sons who embarked on such journeys, with one arriving in Spain and the other lost at sea. These risky voyages underscore the economic desperation linked to the collapse of local fisheries.

Fishing supports more than 82,000 people in Senegal, representing about 2% of the workforce, according to 2023 census data. The increasing number of artisanal fishers, attracted by low entry barriers, has also put additional pressure on the already strained fish stocks. Estimates of the number of pirogues in Senegal range between 12,000 and 19,000.

Climate change is further complicating the situation by pushing small pelagic species such as sardinella and horse mackerel northward, leading to shortages in traditional fishing areas. Artisanal fishers began noticing significant declines in these species about 15 years ago, heightening concerns over the sustainability of local fisheries and the prospect of Senegal becoming dependent on fish imports.

Efforts to address illegal fishing are underway, though monitoring vast maritime zones remains a challenge. Cheikh Salla Ndiaye from Senegal’s Directorate of Fisheries Protection and Surveillance noted the difficulty of surveillance despite support from the navy and air force. New technologies such as satellite tracking, smartphone reporting, and radar are increasingly integrated into enforcement efforts. Fishermen like Mar have participated in training aboard Greenpeace vessels to improve their capacity to detect and report illegal fishing activities.

For Mar, the crisis is deeply personal. With two sons lost to migration and tragedy, he has redirected his focus to ensuring his youngest son acquires a trade skill outside fishing. Meanwhile, his community continues to grapple with the consequences of a rapidly declining fishery, which not only affects income and nutrition but also threatens a cultural identity tied closely to the sea.