Senegal turns to aquaculture as fish stocks decline: Video

However, overfishing, illegal catches and global warming have severely depleted these resources. Traditional fishing hauls have dropped by 58% between 2012 and 2019, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 

While fish prices soar and the population of 18 million grapples with rising living costs, Senegal is focusing on aquaculture to ease the strain. 

The coastal town of Kayar in Senegal, long reliant on the Atlantic Ocean for its fish supply, is now looking inland to supplement its production. A pioneering aquaculture farm, founded by Khadidiatou Sar Seck about 15 years ago, is part of the country's efforts to address dwindling fish stocks.

Seck, who founded the Mbawane fish and agricultural farm, emphasised the need to market aquaculture products. “There’s still work to be done to get aquaculture products accepted on the market,” she told the AFP, explaining that many Senegalese are unfamiliar with farm-raised fish. This has made it difficult for aquaculture products to gain traction, even at fishing piers, where fishmongers are hesitant to sell what their customers don’t recognise.

Demba Diop, who runs a fry farm in Tiadiaye, pointed to the need for more government investment in the sector. "The potential is immense," he said but noted that the cost of fry, feed, and electricity remains a barrier to aquaculture's growth.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in March, has made food sovereignty a key policy. Yet, aquaculture in Senegal remains underdeveloped, supplying just 1% of the country’s aquatic produce despite the establishment of a dedicated agency in 2006. 

Globally, Africa accounts for only 1.9% of aquaculture production, compared to Asia's 91.4%, according to a 2024 report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).