Senegal’s Fishermen Blame BP Gas Plant for Declining Catches

Gora Fall, a fisherman from Senegal’s coastal city of Saint-Louis, faces each day with a mix of hope and frustration. He hopes for a better catch than the day before, but is disheartened by the dwindling returns that barely sustain him.

“We used to fish to live, but now we only fish to survive,” says the 25-year-old. He, like many other small-scale fishermen in this vital fishing hub, is experiencing increasingly difficult times.

The community points to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, an offshore liquefied natural gas facility situated on the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, as the primary cause of their woes. Operated by BP in partnership with Kosmos Energy and the national oil companies of Senegal and Mauritania, the project has been operational since 2017.

While the multi-billion dollar gas project is a significant development for Africa’s energy sector, residents of Saint-Louis claim it has led to fishing restrictions. These restrictions affect a community where approximately 90% of the population relies on fishing for their livelihood.

Fishermen report being unable to access certain areas near the platform due to a 500m exclusion zone, a measure they believe is unfairly impacting their access to rich fishing grounds, including a natural reef known locally as Diattara. They argue that these restrictions, coupled with competition from international trawlers, have drastically reduced their catches, turning a once-lucrative trade into a mere struggle for survival.

“We are very frustrated,” Mr Fall shared. “Now, we can stay out until 4 PM twiddling our thumbs, without any fish.” Daily earnings have plummeted from an estimated $445-$625 to barely $90.

BP maintains that concerns about Senegalese fishing stocks predated the gas project and that safety zones around infrastructure are standard practice. However, fishermen feel promises of creating artificial reefs to compensate for restricted access to natural fishing grounds have not been fulfilled.

Adding to the community’s concerns, a gas leak occurred near the facility in February 2025. While BP described it as “gas bubbles” and assured that the well was capped and regulators were informed, environmental campaigners and local fishermen worry about the potential long-term effects on marine life. Government ministries stated that subsequent satellite imagery revealed no further leaks after the repair.

The impact extends to women who traditionally process the catch. With fewer fish coming ashore, many are losing their jobs and income. Saer Diop, a fisherman who has also turned to carpentry for supplementary income, reflects the community’s sentiment: “Currently, I earn a better living with carpentry than with fishing.”

For many, like Gora Fall, the tradition of fishing is deeply ingrained, but the economic hardship is pushing them to seek alternative opportunities, with some even considering migration.