In Mauritania, Imraguen people’s desert-ocean paradise under threat

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

The Imraguen people of Mauritania’s Banc d’Arguin National Park are experiencing a drastic decline in fish stocks due to climate change and overfishing, threatening their traditional sustainable fishing practices. This decline endangers their food security, cultural heritage, and the continuation of ancestral knowledge as younger generations move away from fishing amid environmental and economic pressures.

On the northern coast of Mauritania, the traditional fishing lifestyle of the Imraguen people in the Banc d’Arguin National Park is increasingly under threat from environmental and economic pressures. The Imraguen, a small community of approximately 4,000 individuals, have long relied on sustainable fishing methods in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean.

For centuries, the Imraguen have used distinctive sailing boats called “lanches” and wading techniques to catch fish, maintaining a balanced relationship with the local ecosystem. Their fishing practices, which are strictly regulated within the reserve, involve setting large nets at low tide and using poles to drive fish into traps. However, fish populations have significantly declined over the past decade, with catches now estimated to be less than 30 percent of previous levels.

Experts attribute this decline to a combination of climate change and overfishing in waters surrounding the protected area. Researchers from the Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic and Fisheries Research have recorded disruptions in the marine ecosystem, including warming waters, ocean acidification, and altered upwelling currents. Some fish species, such as yellow mullet, have seen their stocks collapse, with mullet catches dropping by two-thirds since 2017. These changes threaten not only the food security and income of the Imraguen but also their cultural heritage.

The head of the Association for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Imraguen Culture emphasized the mounting pressure on fish stocks, underscoring the need for protective measures. Meanwhile, the director of Banc d’Arguin National Park highlighted social challenges facing the community. Many younger Imraguen are moving away from traditional fishing due to economic shifts and urban migration, leading to a decline in the transmission of ancestral knowledge and practices.

Among those who continue the traditional way of life, nostalgic reflections are common. A 76-year-old fisherman recalled how nets and fishing tools were once handcrafted from tree fibers, contrasting with current methods influenced by population growth and changing environmental conditions. Women in the community continue to play a key role by processing the catch through drying and oil extraction, preserving techniques that predate modern refrigeration and transport.

Despite the challenges, some fishers are adapting to changing circumstances. A 28-year-old boat owner noted that they have started catching catfish, previously considered worthless, as other species have become scarce. “What God takes with one hand, he gives back with the other,” he said, expressing cautious acceptance of the uncertain future facing the Imraguen.

The situation at Banc d’Arguin underscores the complexities of conserving both environmental resources and cultural traditions in the face of global change. The Imraguen’s centuries-old connection to their desert-ocean landscape is under threat, and the outcome will depend on the balance between sustainable management and adaptation to evolving ecological and economic realities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.