Senegal’s Atlantic tuna fishery, represented by Compagnie Africaine de Pêche au Sénégal S.A. (CAPSEN) and Grand Bleu S.A., has made history by becoming the first in West Africa to receive Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
A journey of improvement
This achievement follows a four-year Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) launched in 2020 in collaboration with the national fisheries department and Key Traceability, a seafood supply chain consultancy. The FIP aimed to elevate the fishery to meet MSC's global sustainability Standard.
The fishery targets eastern Atlantic skipjack and Atlantic yellowfin tuna and operates in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Senegal and neighbouring countries, including Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Guinea.
Throughout the project, the fishery made significant strides. One key action was the introduction of non-entangling Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) made from biodegradable materials (such as bamboo and coconut fibre) to reduce environmental impact. The fishery also implemented enhanced data collection methods to track species encounters, and collaborated with local fisheries authorities to train observers for monitoring at-sea activities.
International collaboration on FADs
In addition to its local efforts, the CAPSEN fleet is collaborating with neighbouring coastal states, including Ivory Coast and Ghana, to retrieve drifting FAD buoys. These devices, commonly used for targeting tuna, can drift far from their initial deployment zones. The fishery aims to reduce the environmental impact of lost or abandoned FADs, ensuring better ocean stewardship and minimising potential harm to non-target species and habitats.
Bolstering the market and protecting livelihoods
The MSC certification is expected to bolster the global market for Senegalese tuna. Half of CAPSEN’s annual catch is processed locally by Société De Conserverie En Afrique S.A. (SCASA), who hold MSC Chain of Custody Standard certification. The catch is mainly for export, with 70% of MSC certified tuna going to markets in the United States.
Representatives of CAPSEN and Grand Bleu expressed their pride in this accomplishment, highlighting the collaborative effort required to maintain sustainable practices. “We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to a transparent supply chain and sustainable sourcing,” said Jason Bo Seung Kim, Vessel Operation Manager of CAPSEN.
Similarly, Grand Bleu’s Crew and International Relations Manager, Mohamadou S. Wade, emphasised the socio-economic benefits of sustainable fishing for Senegal’s coastal communities. Together their combined operations employ nearly 1,800 people locally.
This certification places Senegal on the map as a regional leader in fisheries sustainability and follows the recent certification of South Africa’s albacore tuna fishery, making it only the fourth in Africa to achieve MSC certification.