Small fish like sardines, mackerel, and anchovies have been an important part of the diet in West Africa, providing protein and helping with food security. But in the last decade, the growth of fish meal and oil industries, which export these fish for animal feed, has led to overfishing. This has made the fish more expensive and harder to get for local people, putting their food security at risk.

To fix this, the EU partnered with Mauritania through a Sustainable Fisheries Agreement. The plan focuses on keeping more fish for local use and promoting sustainable fishing, providing funds to help with research, building infrastructure, and creating more sustainable fish supply chains. This partnership shows how economic growth can work alongside environmental and social sustainability.

In this episode of Ocean, we’re in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, Mauritania, exploring how the country is working to protect its valuable fish stocks. We speak with fishers, fishmeal producers, scientists, and officials about the pressures on marine resources — and the solutions being put in place for a more sustainable future. 

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