The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) launched a new toolkit to support the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries on 24 September in Dakar, Senegal. Produced by EJF with funding from the European Union (EU), the toolkit empowers local fishing communities to play a key role in the management of their marine resources and to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a major threat to marine biodiversity and food security.
Artisanal marine fisheries play a critical role in global fish production, accounting for more than a quarter of all fish caught worldwide – an estimated 25 million tonnes annually. They provide irreplaceable food security, particularly for protein, and generate approximately $58 billion in first-sale revenues. However, they are under threat. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 38% of marine fisheries are overexploited. This has devastating consequences for food security, livelihoods, and the well-being of coastal communities, particularly in the Global South, says EJF.
Steve Trent, EJF CEO and Founder, said: “In Senegal, as in too many countries of the Global South, coastal communities are among the hardest hit by declining fish populations. Multiple pressures – including overfishing, climate change, pollution, and changes in coastal land use – are pushing people into poverty and food insecurity. These challenges are compounded by the rampant problem of IUU fishing, which accounts for one in five fish caught worldwide and costs the global economy billions of dollars each year. Industrial vessels illegally enter areas reserved for artisanal fishers, putting local communities at direct risk of collisions, loss of fishing gear, and even injury or death.”
“While the crisis in many fisheries is a global problem, it has local and national solutions. This new toolkit shows the way to a healthy future. Senegal is the perfect place to launch it, as the new government has committed to fisheries reform with a key focus on sustainability. This toolkit will cover 15 countries over the coming months, providing tailored assistance to fishers around the world to ensure sustainable fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support their livelihoods.”
EJF’s new toolkit will empower artisanal fishing communities to take a leading role in managing their resources. One of the new approaches to fisheries governance is the DASE application, designed for use by artisanal fishers, which allows them to capture geo-located photo and video evidence of suspected IUU fishing, which is then verified by experts and submitted to the relevant authorities.
Bassirou Diarra, EJF Oceans Campaigner, added: “In Senegal, the app has been instrumental in the fight against IUU fishing, with nearly 850 reports submitted by supported communities during joint patrols in 2023. These reports have resulted in more accurate documentation of alleged incursions, conflict resolution with industrial fishers, increased compliance with fishing permits and safety protocols, and reduced landings of juvenile fish. We have also set up a WhatsApp group to connect Senegalese users, allowing them to share challenges and experiences as they use the app to protect local fishing zones.”