The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has launched a new EU-funded toolkit for participatory fisheries governance in Dakar, Senegal. The toolkit empowers artisanal fishing communities in 15 countries from the Global South to play a leading role in managing their marine resources and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The launch was attended by representatives of the EU Delegation to Senegal, the Ministry of Fisheries, and all sectors of the Senegalese fishing industry. EJF presented the three pillars of the toolkit: community surveillance to detect and deter IUU fishing, the development of fisheries co-management associations (CMAs) to give coastal communities a role in local fisheries management, and the strengthening of National Fishers Associations (NFAs) to give them a voice in developing national fisheries policy.

The launch was welcomed by key speakers, including:

• Mr Frédéric Varenne, representing the European Union Delegation

• Dr Mamadou Alioune Diagne, technical advisor to the Senegalese Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime and Port Infrastructure

• Mr Bassirou Diarra, Ocean Campaigner and head of the EJF Dakar office

• Dr Alassane Samba Diop, biologist and moderator

Selected quotes

Mr Frédéric Varenne, representing the European Union Delegation: “The EU's missions in Senegal are to strengthen ocean governance, support a sustainable and inclusive blue economy, and protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems with greater involvement of all stakeholders, in particular women and young people, who play a key role. The project that brings us together today is of key importance to the EU as it will contribute significantly to the establishment of sustainable and vibrant value chains, good environmental governance, food security and the creation of decent livelihoods. This project is based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and good fisheries governance, and focuses on small-scale fisheries by focusing on the needs of small-scale fishers, who are often the most vulnerable.”

Dr Mamadou Alioune Diagne, technical advisor to the Senegalese Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime and Port Infrastructure: “The fisheries sector is of great socio-economic and security importance and goes beyond the mere provision of food. Today, Senegal is working to make international and regional cooperation a reality so that the sector and its various players are not devalued. Senegal is constantly improving its fisheries control and monitoring system. This project is timely and calls for concerted action, greater attention to the concerns of our people and the pooling of efforts. It is a transversal project that leaves no sector untouched. Fisheries monitoring is a management tool that will allow us to pool our efforts to achieve objectives that will benefit fishermen.”

Dr Alassane Samba Diop, biologist and moderator: "Often projects start, but in the end the people disappear and nothing happens. This toolbox and the work of the EJF is a good thing for sustainability. I hope that Senegal will have the means to pull itself through. People need to adopt a sound logic and tell themselves that what they are doing is not for themselves, but for their children and future generations.”

Bassirou Diarra, Ocean Campaigner and head of the Dakar office at EJF: “The difficulties in the fishing industry are mainly related to organisation. For example, if line fishermen were organised into networks or cooperatives, they could earn more, which is one of the aims of the project. Advocacy to ensure that the fishermen's recommendations are implemented and that they have an impact at other levels, including through influencing legislation, is also one of the objectives of this project. Up to 50% of fisheries catch is illegally caught in some areas, and fish is becoming increasingly scarce for small-scale fishers, so it's obvious to make the link between illegal fishing and food security. By supporting the supply of fish to households, you are contributing to food security.”

Responding to the event, Barbara Pilz, Programme Manager for Francophone Africa at EJF, said: "IUU fishing is one of the most serious threats to marine biodiversity, food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities. It accounts for one in five fish caught, costing the global economy billions, while also endangering small-scale fishermen by increasing the risk of collision with industrial vessels. That's why, in this toolkit, we’re providing tested methods that empower coastal communities to manage the fisheries they rely on. Without small-scale fishermen, the whole system is at risk of collapsing, economically and environmentally. Thanks to the EU’s strong support for this groundbreaking new project, we are not going to let them down."

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more than a decade, EJF has worked with communities in Senegal, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon to build capacity for sustainable fisheries management through training, community-led monitoring programs, and policy advocacy. This experience has informed the development of the toolkit, which provides practical guidance on implementing participatory governance approaches.

The EU-funded toolkit provides both theoretical and practical insights, offering technical documents, guidelines, infographics, case studies, and educational videos. It also includes resources that can be used directly by fishers, such as community monitoring tools, and is complemented by field training and ongoing support from EJF experts. It is available in French and in English.

The toolkit is aimed at professionals working with artisanal fishing communities, including NGO representatives, government agencies, and consultants, as well as existing CMAs and national fishers' associations. By encouraging greater collaboration between these groups, the toolkit will help ensure that local communities have a voice in the management of their fisheries, paving the way for more sustainable and equitable fishing activities.

As EJF continues to refine the toolkit based on community feedback, it will become a dynamic global resource for effective local action.

EJF works internationally to inform policy and drive systemic, durable reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice.

Our campaigns aim to secure peaceful, equitable and sustainable futures. Our investigators, researchers, filmmakers and campaigners work with grassroots partners and environmental defenders across the globe. Our work to secure environmental justice aims to protect our global climate, ocean, forests and wildlife and defend basic human rights. For more information, please contact media@ejfoundation.org.

This project is funded by the European Union (NDICI CHALLENGE/2002?437-419).