Ocean life
Fishmeal plants drain marine stocks in Senegal
Coastal processing factories grind whole wild catches into export feed, shrinking marine supplies and straining regional fishing towns.
Reported by Mongabay · · 1 min read
Commercial processing facilities along the Senegalese shoreline are turning large volumes of marine catches into export commodities, reducing the supply of wild fish historically available in the region. These facilities boil and pulverize catches into a powdered feed primarily distributed to global poultry, pig, and aquaculture farming operations.
Unlike standard industrial practices where fishmeal is derived from unwanted scraps or bycatch, plants operating in the country routinely grind whole wild catches. Officials at the national fisheries authority noted that processing complete specimens remains legally permitted, though authorities plan stricter monitoring mechanisms to manage the practice across operational facilities.
Escalating Pressure on Coastal Stocks
Over a ten-year span ending in 2021, the fishmeal sector expanded tenfold across West Africa following substantial foreign funding from Asian and European businesses. Environmental monitors estimate that approximately fifty operational processing sites across Mauritania, Senegal, and the Gambia have consumed roughly 500,000 metric tons of ocean catches annually, targeting vital open-water species.
The diversion of marine wildlife has sharply depleted domestic supplies. Data shows the volume of small open-water fish in Senegalese markets declined by two-thirds between 2009 and 2018, cutting individual fish consumption in half. United Nations analysts project the country could soon experience a yearly shortage reaching 150,000 metric tons of fish.
Environmental and Coastal Impacts
Investigations documented repeated environmental infractions by processing facilities between 2018 and 2024, including air emissions linked to community respiratory illnesses and the illegal dumping of waste into marine and coastal environments. In one southern district, beaches were left covered in dead sea life shortly after a factory opened, prompting public demonstrations and an eventual government shutdown.
With local waters depleted, traditional artisanal crews are increasingly forced out of their livelihoods, leaving many fishing communities with dwindling resources as coastal catches continue feeding overseas farm-raised seafood.
