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Oceans and fisheries
News article13 January 2020Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

The octopus pots in Senegal

Our Story of the month comes from Senegal in West Africa, where the European Union supports women’s employment, building on traditional knowledge, and supports local fishermen while sustainably managing fisheries resources, especially octopus.

Octopus is a highly valuable fisheries resource that sells at a high price on the international market and is an important source of income for Senegalese fishermen and women. This year 15,000 clay pots were submerged in Senegalese local waters to form artificial reefs. These reefs provide shelter and safeguard the cluster of octopus leading to an increase of octopus biomass and benefiting local fisheries. The clay pots forming the artificial reefs are produced by local women based on traditional knowledge passed on through generations. The work provides the women with a mean to support their families, while playing a central part in revitalizing the beneficial octopus fisheries. The EU-funded project was financed by the sectoral support under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the European Union and the Republic of Senegal.

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The octopus pots in Senegal

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Publication date
13 January 2020
Author
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries