Summary
Fishermen in Senegal, particularly in Saint-Louis, are struggling with reduced fish catches, which they attribute to a BP-operated gas project offshore. The project includes a safety zone that limits where fishermen can go, impacting their livelihoods. BP states safety zones are common, but locals say the restrictions hurt a community that heavily relies on fishing.
Key Facts
- Fishermen in Saint-Louis, Senegal, report reduced fish catches.
- They blame a liquefied natural gas project by BP and partners for fishing restrictions.
- The project began in 2017 and has a 500-meter exclusion zone enforced around it.
- Fishing provides income for 90% of Saint-Louis's over 250,000 residents.
- BP claims safety zones like theirs are standard to protect people and assets.
- Fishing contributes to nearly 60,000 direct jobs in Senegal and many more indirectly.
- The fishing sector represents about 3% of Senegal's GDP.
- Many in the fishing community, especially women involved in processing, have lost jobs due to fewer fish.
