My only activity is fishing. It is what I do to take care of my family. We go out to fish and whatever we bring back, we split into two parts: one for the family and the other for sale.
Fishing has gotten harder over the years. We never used nets in the past, just rods, because there were loads of fish. This year (2021) is actually the first time I’m using nets because of the difficulty in catching fish. Senegal used to be one of the best countries for catching fish, but not anymore. The rods only work if you don’t want to go far into the sea. But that is no longer feasible. Whereas we used to venture just 3 kilometres in the past, these days we go as far as 30 kilometres.
THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN FLEETS
The big boats are causing us a lot of trouble. They don’t simply stop at cutting our nets; they even split canoes into two. Some fishermen have died in the process. It is really dangerous for us, especially at night.
Things are really hard. For nearly two months, I’ve been working on my nets which were destroyed by the boats, and have not finished the repairs. Sometimes you see the boats coming after you have already thrown in your net; you try to signal them but they cannot avoid you because of their size. So what do they do? They cut the net. Sometimes, they even sail away with it, and you lose everything.
The situation is very difficult because for one and a half months he is working on the nets. And it is not finished. You have to complete this one. It is very difficult because the trouble is caused by the boats. When you see the boats coming and you have already thrown the nets. You make a sign to avoid you. But they cannot avoid you because they are very big. So, what do they do? They cut the net. And sometimes they take it with them. They take it away. So you lose and you come without anything with you.
We have tried to fish elsewhere like the Moroccan and Mauritanian waters, because of the lack of fish here. One time, I spent roughly two weeks in those waters. However, those countries now prevent us from accessing their waters.
These days, fishermen stay out at sea for a week and their families get anxious because they had been told to expect their return in a couple of days. And when they return, their relatives ask: “why did you stay that long?” And they responded: “Looking for more fish. That’s why”.
ON EDUCATION
In Senegal there are more graduates than employment. That, in itself, is a problem. So, I prefer that my children go to the sea to take my place. I am getting older, so I want someone to take my place. School is good. All the activities are good. But if they cannot find a job after school, then going to the sea is better. If things were different, I would have preferred for them to go to school.
MIGRATION
I am still here because I am not courageous. If I were courageous and if I knew that I would get a job in Europe I would join the migration train. I would go to Europe if I were courageous. All the people who are courageous have gone there because they offer hope. I am not courageous that is why I am here.