Estimating the impact of irregular and unsustainable fishing of distant-water fishing fleets in Senegal

This policy brief synthesises information from the flagship ODI report 'Fishy Business', examining the current state of domestic and foreign fishing activity in the Senegal’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

It focuses on the prevalence of trawlers and the significant presence of foreign vessels, particularly from China and Spain. It also discusses the ownership of the fleet, controversies surrounding unsustainable practices, and the implications for marine biodiversity and local communities.

Recommendations for policymakers

Implement stricter regulations and monitoring systems to ensure sustainable fishing practices and prevent overfishing.
Encourage the use of selective gear to reduce bycatch.
Enforce laws to prevent forced labour and other human rights abuses on vessels.
Ensure accurate reporting of vessel gross tonnage to avoid evasion of regulations.
Involve local communities in decision-making processes related to fishing practices and policies to ensure their livelihoods are considered and protected.
Strengthen the enforcement of environmental regulations to protect marine biodiversity.
Promote research on the impact of fishing on ecosystems and develop conservation strategies.
Collaborate with international bodies and other countries to manage shared fish stocks effectively and address issues related to flags of convenience (FoC).
Engage in regional agreements to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Require detailed disclosure of ownership and operations for domestic and foreign fleets to prevent illegal activities and ensure accountability.
Foster collaboration between the government, fishing industry and NGOs to share best practices, data and strategies for sustainable fishing.
Implement a public reporting system for fishing activities, sanctions, and sustainability compliance to increase transparency and accountability.