Artisanal fishing is the lifeblood of the fishing industry in Senegal.  Fish is estimated to provide up to 70% of the protein for the Senegalese population, and up to 15% of the employment.  OWEN Project has provided funds to build two traditional fishing boats (pirogues).  

The OWEN JULIAN McKINNON pirogue was constructed during the my visit in March 2023 (photo above), and the ARIANE pirogue during my visit in May, 2024.  A third, smaller pirogue which can ferry fish from the larger boats to the shore is occasionally available to the OWEN Project, provided by Makale's brother, in solidarity.  The fishing business can be highly profitable in Senegal, but there are significant challenges due to industrial fishing by Europe, China, and Russia.  Destruction of the ocean floor and reproductive stocks is an ongoing problem.   This reality has meant, in practice, that the business is not fully self-sustaining.  There are times when there are no fish to be caught, but gasoline still needs to be purchased to go out again.  Fuel is a large expense, and the OWEN Project provides funds to cover that.  When fishing is limited, we also provide community support to the team to purchase food, and medical care.  The new government was elected in February 2024, based substantially on the promise to limit fishing licenses to industrial fishing factories owned by the EU, China, Russia, and other countries.  The issue of overfishing must be resolved, and reports back to me at this time indicate that licenses are being either revoked, or not renewed.  Time will tell. 

 Senegal has many challenges, and too many citizens are fleeing to the Canary Islands, seeking what they believe to be a better life in Europe. Pirogues are being used to carry these migrants to, at best, uncertain futures, at worst, and too often, to their death.