Freshly Landed Sardinella, A Staple Traditional Food And A Key Source Of Proteins In Many West African Countries Royalty-Free Stock Photo

Sardinella is a sardine-like pelagic fish that is a staple food item for most Senegalese. Each afternoon, thousands of people congregate in the beach waiting for the Sardinella artisanal fishers to land their catch. Sardinella also provides livelihoods to thousands of women who work in the artisanal fish processing industry. Sardinella stocks are in danger due to the increasing fishing effort and especially due to the booming demand from the fishmeal industry. Fishmeal factories outcompete the artisanal processors because they are able to pay higher prices for the fish. This is driving the fish processor and traditional fish buyers out of work and is putting the food security of the Senegalese people in jeopardy.