In Saint-Louis, a major fishing hub in Senegal, fishermen like Gora Fall are caught between hope and frustration. As they head to sea each day, they long for a catch substantial enough to support their families, but strict regulations tied to the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project have complicated their efforts. Fishermen reveal that a 500-meter exclusion zone around the gas platform restricts access to a natural reef area abundant with fish. With complex operations starting in 2017, the project has been described as one of Africa's most intricate gas developments but has also led to decreasing yields for local fishermen reliant on these waters.
Fishermen now find themselves working only to survive, echoing sentiments of frustration as they struggle to make a living amid the fish depletion. The collaboration between BP and Senegal's government has not yielded promised artificial reefs to offset the loss of fishing grounds, and many local fishers have even started abandoning their ancestral trade.
The situation has driven some individuals toward alternative careers to stabilize their finances, while the overarching sentiment remains that without adequate support and access to their sea, the precarious future of local fishing communities hangs in balance. Responses from BP highlight a commitment to responsible operations, yet local fisherfolk express deep concern over the long-term impacts of the project on their livelihoods.
Fishermen now find themselves working only to survive, echoing sentiments of frustration as they struggle to make a living amid the fish depletion. The collaboration between BP and Senegal's government has not yielded promised artificial reefs to offset the loss of fishing grounds, and many local fishers have even started abandoning their ancestral trade.
The situation has driven some individuals toward alternative careers to stabilize their finances, while the overarching sentiment remains that without adequate support and access to their sea, the precarious future of local fishing communities hangs in balance. Responses from BP highlight a commitment to responsible operations, yet local fisherfolk express deep concern over the long-term impacts of the project on their livelihoods.
