Banjul – 5th February 2026

Greenpeace Africa has launched “Sentinels of the Sea”, a major regional expedition aimed at exposing harmful industrial fishing practices, strengthening community-led sustainable fishing practice, and building momentum for stronger ocean protection in Senegal, Gambia, and beyond.

As part of the mission, Greenpeace Africa’s ship will undertake a coastal tour in Senegal and The Gambia, followed by an expedition into the high seas of the Canary and Guinea Current Convergence Zone, a marine area that plays a key role in sustaining fish stocks along West Africa’s coasts.

Communities at the heart of ocean protection

Across Senegal and Gambia, millions of people depend on fish as a primary source of food and income. Yet coastal communities are increasingly facing declining catches, rising costs and growing pressure from underregulated industrial fishing activities.

Through this campaign, Greenpeace Africa is working directly with artisanal fishers and coastal communities, providing training on sustainable fishing practices. This training equips communities to identify and report suspected illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, reinforcing their role as the first line of defence for the ocean.

“Coastal communities are not the cause of the ocean crisis. They are among the first to feel its impacts and they are central to the solution,” said Dr Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.

From coastal waters to the High Seas

The expedition also draws attention to the growing pressure from industrial fishing fleets, both within national waters and in the High Seas, beyond national jurisdiction.

The new High Seas Treaty gives governments the tools they need to protect ocean areas that were previously beyond effective control and extend Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): a space where nature is genuinely protected and fish stocks can recover. Greenpeace Africa is calling for strong action to ensure high seas protection in line with efforts to protect national waters in Senegal and The Gambia.

“You cannot protect coastal fisheries without protecting the high seas. Fish migrate, ecosystems are connected, and protection must reflect that reality,” said Dr Aliou Ba, Ocean Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa.

Open Boat in Banjul 

As part of the campaign, Greenpeace Africa will host an Open Boat event in the port of Banjul from 5th to 6th February. 

This opportunity will allow:

  • Communities, media and local authorities to visit the ship
  • Direct exchanges with Greenpeace Africa experts
  • Discussions on ocean protection, sustainable fishing, MPAs and the implications of the High Seas Treaty
  • A better understanding of Greenpeace Africa’s work on ocean justice across the continent

A call for action

Through Sentinels of the Sea, Greenpeace Africa is calling on governments and decision-makers to:

  • Act decisively against illegal and harmful fishing practices
  • ECOWAS countries to champion a fully protected MPA
  • Implement the High Seas Treaty without delay
  • Place communities at the centre of ocean governance

ENDS

Media contact

Ibrahima Ka Ndoye – West and Central Africa Communications Lead,[email protected] / +221778437172

Notes to editors

  • The Sentinels of the Sea mission includes coastal activities documentation, community training, Open Boat event, and a high seas expedition.
  • Visual material (photos, video, drone footage) will be made available through Greenpeace’s media library : https://media.greenpeace.org/