Russia Eyes African Fish Stocks Following Resource Exploitation in Other Sectors
DAKAR, Senegal – Following extensive involvement in African gold and diamond mining, Russia is now turning its attention to the continent’s vast fish stocks, sparking concern among local communities and environmental groups.A Russian research vessel, the Atlantniro, recently arrived off the coast of Senegal, raising fears of a resurgence of controversial fishing agreements that were previously halted.
The move comes as Russia seeks to expand its economic and political influence in Africa, especially in the wake of Western sanctions. While Russian officials state the expedition aims to gather “objective and adequate information” about fish populations, critics worry this is a prelude to exploiting African waters, potentially depleting resources and harming livelihoods. Senegal, once a focal point of Russian fishing activity, is again at the center of the debate, wiht local activists fearing a repeat of past overfishing practices.
the Atlantniro’s arrival has triggered memories of a previous agreement allowing a large Russian fleet to fish in Senegalese waters. That deal, criticized for its lack of transparency and detrimental impact on local fishermen, was ultimately cancelled after years of protests. Now, with the vessel’s reappearance, anxieties are resurfacing about the potential for unsustainable fishing practices and the erosion of Senegal’s marine ecosystem.
Local activist Vieux Sall, who previously organized demonstrations against the earlier Russian deal and even protested by kidnapping the captain of a Chinese fishing vessel over overfishing concerns, expressed dismay. “We thought the battle was over,” Sall said. “Letting them return would be a disaster.”
Senegalese authorities have so far declined to comment on whether negotiations for a new agreement are underway. however, the presence of the atlantniro signals a clear intent from Russia to assess the potential for large-scale fishing operations in the region.Russian official Bandurin stated the expedition’s goal is to collect data and, “If we observe that some reserves are not in a very stable state, perhaps we will prepare some proposals for their rational exploitation.”
The situation highlights a growing trend of external actors seeking to capitalize on Africa’s natural resources, raising questions about sustainable progress, resource management, and the protection of local communities. The outcome of this latest development will likely set a precedent for future engagements between Russia and African nations regarding access to valuable marine resources.
Edited by Rachael Dottle, Sam Dodge, Rodney Jefferson
Photos edited by Marie Monteleone
With assistance from Souhail Karam, Tavares Cebola, Peter Guest
