Senegal’s Push for Aquaculture in the Face of Depleted Fish Stocks
The tiny town of Kayar in Senegal, situated on the doorstep of the vast Atlantic Ocean, is often associated with its bustling fish market. However, its pioneering aquaculture farm, founded by Khadidiatou Sar Seck 15 years ago, is helping to increase the country’s fish production. Fish is a key part of Senegal’s national identity, accounting for over 70 per cent of household protein intake. The fishing industry also provides around 600,000 direct and indirect jobs in a population of 18 million people.
Despite this, the resource is facing a crisis. Overfishing, illegal catches, and global warming have caused the volume of catches by traditional wooden fishing canoes to plummet by 58 per cent between 2012 and 2019, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). As a result, prices are rising, and essential foodstuff is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
The new government has pledged to promote fish farming and attract industry investment to achieve food sovereignty. Fisheries minister Fatou Diouf has stated that the aim is for aquaculture to make a major contribution to the country’s marine production and help achieve this goal. Despite its potential, Africa accounts for only around 1.9 per cent of global aquaculture production, while Asia dominates with 91.4 per cent, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Khadidiatou Sar Seck, the founder of the Mbawane farm, faces numerous challenges. Feed for farmed fish has to be imported, and access to land is challenging. She sells her products directly to individuals, wholesalers, and fishmongers. The director of the national aquaculture agency, Samba Ka, is more optimistic, stating that “anything is possible if investment and partners follow suit.”
At the Soumbedioune market in Dakar, fishermen had mixed reactions to the prospects for aquaculture. Some, like Olivier Gomes, are skeptical, citing concerns over price competition and the dominance of foreign trawlers. Others, like Alioune Badara, a former fisherman, are tempted by the possibility of financial assistance to venture into fish farming.
Senegal’s aquaculture industry is set to play a crucial role in achieving food sovereignty and providing much-needed jobs. The national agency hopes to produce 65,000 tonnes of farmed fish by 2032 and create around 50,000 jobs. However, the road ahead is challenging, requiring investment, partnership, and innovation to overcome the current barriers. As Samba Ka emphasized, “We need everyone to get involved, to organise fairs and culinary workshops, to invite chefs, so that people know that this is something that can be eaten and that is good for health and nutrition.”
