By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The governments of Senegal and Comoros have announced new measures to curb industrial fishing and strengthen protection for small-scale fishing communities.
At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, Senegal pledged to expand its Inshore Exclusion Zone from six to 12 nautical miles, effectively banning industrial fishing throughout its territorial waters.
The move is aimed at protecting marine ecosystems, supporting artisanal fishers and enhancing food security.
Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Amy Mara, said consultations are ongoing to strengthen protections for small-scale fishers and increase the role of local fisheries councils in decision-making.
Meanwhile, Comoros committed to establishing artisanal stewardship areas across its territorial waters, expanding marine protected areas and legally recognising community-managed conservation zones.
Fishing supports more than 600,000 livelihoods in Senegal, making the sector critical to coastal economies and food security. Conservation groups welcomed the commitments, describing them as important steps toward sustainable ocean governance and the protection of vulnerable coastal communities.
The pledges come amid growing concerns over industrial overfishing, pollution and climate change, which continue to threaten fish stocks and marine ecosystems across Africa.
