Senegalese fishery becomes first in West Africa to receive MSC Certification

SENEGAL – A Senegalese tuna fishery has made history by becoming the first in West Africa to achieve certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a globally recognized standard for sustainable fishing. 

This achievement, represented by fishing companies Compagnie Africaine de Pêche au Sénégal S.A. (CAPSEN), part of Dongwon Industries, and Senegalese-founded Grand Bleu S.A., underscores Senegal’s leadership in promoting sustainable fishing practices in the region.  

This milestone also marks only the second tuna fishery on the African continent to receive MSC certification, joining a network of just four certified fisheries across Africa and over 500 worldwide. 

The certification ensures the fishery adheres to strict sustainability standards, with healthy target stocks, minimized environmental impacts, and effective management systems.  

Edouard Le Bart, Regional Program Director for Southern Europe and Africa at MSC, commended the achievement and highlighted Senegal’s commitment to reversing unsustainable fishing practices. 

He noted that West Africa’s fisheries are among the world’s most productive but face significant threats from overfishing and weak management.  

The certification opens opportunities for the Senegalese fishery to supply sustainably caught tuna to international markets, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 

CAPSEN, for instance, sells approximately half of its annual catch to Societe De Conserverie En Afrique S.A. (SCASA), a local processor also owned by Dongwon Industries. SCASA exports 70% of its certified tuna to the U.S., supporting nearly 1,800 local jobs.  

CAPSEN’s Vessel Operation Manager, Jason Bo Seung Kim, emphasized the company’s dedication to transparency and sustainable practices. 

He highlighted their collaboration with SCASA, which adheres to the MSC’s Chain of Custody Standard, ensuring traceability throughout the supply chain.  

The certification is the culmination of a four-year Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), launched in 2020 in partnership with Senegal’s national fisheries department and Key Traceability, a seafood supply chain consultancy. 

The FIP involved a comprehensive work plan aimed at meeting MSC standards. Improvements included enhanced data collection and observer coverage for all fishing trips and measures to protect endangered and vulnerable species. 

To mitigate the impact of fish aggregating devices (FADs), the fishery adopted non-entangling FADs and began transitioning to biodegradable materials such as bamboo, cotton, and coconut fiber. 

These initiatives were supported by observer training workshops and collaborations with the Fisheries Surveillance Directorate to enhance at-sea data collection.  

Emily Wardrop of Key Traceability praised the collaborative effort required to implement these measures. 

Similarly, Mohamadou S. Wade of Grand Bleu highlighted the socio-economic benefits of sustainable practices, including empowering local communities, improving infrastructure, and preserving marine resources for future generations.  

The achievement follows the recent MSC certification of the South African albacore pole-and-line tuna fishery, further positioning Africa as a growing leader in fisheries sustainability. 

Dr. Fambaye Ngom Sow, a senior fisheries researcher at ISRA/CRODT, celebrated the certification as a testament to Senegal’s dedication to responsible resource management and its role as a regional leader in sustainable fisheries.  

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