Senegal Fisheries: Women Face Job Losses Due to Foreign Investment & Reduced Fishing Zones

The Looming Crisis for Saint-Louis Fish Processors: How the GTA Project Impacts 1,254 Women

The future is uncertain for over 1,250 women fish processors in Saint-Louis, Senegal, as the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project raises concerns about dwindling fish stocks and economic hardship. Fama Sarr, president of the local union of women fish processors, smokers, and micro-processors of Saint-Louis, has warned of widespread unemployment within the sector, directly linking it to the impact of the GTA project and reduced access to traditional fishing grounds. The situation highlights a growing tension between Senegal’s ambition to become a major energy producer and the livelihoods of communities dependent on its marine resources.

A Thousand-Year Tradition Under Threat

For generations, fishing has been central to the economy and culture of the Langue de Barbarie peninsula, south of Saint-Louis. As noted in a 2023 report by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, fishing “constitutes the region’s wealth.” This long-standing tradition is now facing unprecedented challenges. The GTA project, a joint venture between BP and other international partners, aims to extract and liquefy natural gas off the coast of Senegal, with initial production slated to reach 2.5 million tonnes per year, eventually scaling up to 10 million tonnes. While the Senegalese government projects significant revenue – 888 billion CFA francs (approximately 1.4 billion euros) between 2023 and 2025 – the benefits are not being evenly distributed, particularly for those reliant on small-scale fisheries.

The Core of the Problem: Reduced Access and Scarce Resources

Fama Sarr’s assessment paints a stark picture. She reports that many women processors are already facing unemployment due to a “lack of raw materials” stemming from the GTA project and the resulting restrictions on fishing zones. Specifically, she cites the presence of vessels associated with the project that are effectively blocking local fishermen from accessing traditional fishing areas. Currently, the fish available to processors is primarily sourced from Mauritania, facilitated by fishing licenses between the two countries, but local fishermen lack the capacity to fish in those zones. This reliance on external sources is unsustainable and threatens the economic viability of the local processing industry.

What is the GTA Project? A Brief Overview

The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project is a massive undertaking designed to exploit significant natural gas reserves located off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal. The project involves the construction of an offshore floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility, along with onshore liquefaction facilities. The gas will then be exported as liquefied natural gas (LNG) to international markets. The project represents a substantial investment in Senegal’s energy sector and is seen by the government as a key driver of economic growth. But, the environmental and social impacts of the project are increasingly coming under scrutiny.

Confirmed vs. Unclear: The Extent of the Impact

Confirmed: Over 1,254 women fish processors in the Langue de Barbarie are experiencing economic hardship. Access to traditional fishing grounds is demonstrably restricted. The availability of local fish for processing has decreased, necessitating reliance on imports from Mauritania.
Unclear: The precise extent to which the GTA project is *solely* responsible for the decline in fish stocks remains unclear. Other factors, such as climate change, overfishing, and coastal erosion, also contribute to the problem. The long-term economic consequences for the affected communities have not been fully assessed. Details regarding potential compensation or mitigation measures for the impacted women processors were not provided in the available sources.

Beyond Saint-Louis: A Wider Pattern of Disruption

The concerns in Saint-Louis are not isolated. Aby Dia, vice-president of the NGO Lumière Synergie pour le Développement (LSD), highlights that her organization has been supporting communities affected by large-scale infrastructure projects – including the Delta du Saloum, the Regional Express Train (TER), and the Sendou coal-fired power plant – since 2021, with a particular focus on women. Dia emphasizes a systemic issue: these projects often fail to adequately consider the needs and concerns of women, who play a crucial role in Senegalese society. The gathering of affected communities, as reported, wasn’t simply a demonstration but a “day of analysis and diagnosis” aimed at securing compensation and exploring new solutions.

What Happens Next?

The situation in Saint-Louis demands urgent attention. While the GTA project is already underway, there is still an opportunity to mitigate its negative impacts on local communities. Key steps include: conducting a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment that specifically addresses the concerns of women fish processors; developing and implementing a fair compensation scheme for those who have lost their livelihoods; and investing in alternative economic opportunities for the affected communities. The Human Rights Watch report, “Waiting for God,” details similar displacement issues in the region, suggesting a pattern of inadequate planning and community consultation. Without proactive measures, the GTA project risks exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining the livelihoods of thousands of Senegalese women.

The future of the Langue de Barbarie’s fish processing industry, and the communities that depend on it, hangs in the balance.