Diagnosis of the Senegalese Marine Fisheries Profile during the Last Two Decades: A Perspective toward Fisheries Management

The Senegalese coasts have high productivity of fishery resources due to the frequency of intense up-welling system that occurs along its coast, caused by the maritime trade winds making its waters nutrients rich. This phenomenon has contributed greatly to the practice and development of fishing, which is a very important activity in Senegal. Fishing plays a primordial role in the socioeconomic plans and food security in this country. This review updates the situation of the Senegalese marine fisheries from 1999 to 2018, the political environment related to fishing in Senegal, and the principal management measures taken to protect exploited species in the Senegalese exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This study presents the overall evolution of catches, the incomes generated by the Senegalese fisheries sector over the last two decades, from 1999 to 2018, and the Senegalese fishing policy. The observed results show the dynamism and the importance of the different Senegalese fishing sectors to the economic growth of the country. Furthermore, results from this study reveal an increase in catches, economic value, and illegal unreported unregulated fishing in the Senegalese marine fisheries sector. This review also identified the main problems faced by the fisheries sector in Senegal and presented some recommendations to address them. In addition, this review recommends the application of new assessment methods suitable to data-poor fisheries, adapted to Senegalese fisheries. These recommendations would allow future studies to define the stock status of threatened and/or over-exploited economically important stocks for their rational and sustainable management in Senegalese waters.

Automated summary

The coasts of Senegal have abundant fishery resources due to the frequent occurrence of intense upwelling systems. Fishing is a vital activity for Senegal, playing an important role in the country's socioeconomic plans and food security. This review provides an update on the Senegalese marine fisheries from 1999 to 2018, discussing the political environment and management measures taken to protect exploited species. The study reveals the dynamic and significant contribution of the Senegalese fishing sectors to the country's economic growth. However, it also highlights increasing catches, economic value, and illegal fishing practices in the marine fisheries sector. The review identifies the main challenges faced by the fisheries sector and suggests recommendations to address them, including the application of new assessment methods suitable for data-poor fisheries.