{"id":59997,"date":"2026-02-05T11:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=59997"},"modified":"2026-02-07T11:42:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T11:42:59","slug":"greenpeace-africa-launches-sentinels-of-the-sea-expedition-to-expose-harmful-fishing-practices-and-strengthen-ocean-protection-from-the-coast-to-the-high-seas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/press\/59997\/greenpeace-africa-launches-sentinels-of-the-sea-expedition-to-expose-harmful-fishing-practices-and-strengthen-ocean-protection-from-the-coast-to-the-high-seas\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenpeace Africa launches \u201cSentinels of the Sea\u201d expedition to expose harmful fishing practices and strengthen ocean protection from the coast to the High Seas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Banjul \u2013 5th February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace Africa has launched \u201cSentinels of the Sea\u201d<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

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As part of the mission, Greenpeace Africa\u2019s ship will undertake a coastal tour in Senegal and The Gambia<\/strong>, followed by an expedition into the high seas of the Canary and Guinea Current Convergence Zone<\/strong>, a marine area that plays a key role in sustaining fish stocks along West Africa\u2019s coasts.<\/p>\n\n

Communities at the heart of ocean protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Through this campaign, Greenpeace Africa is working directly with artisanal fishers and coastal communities, providing training on sustainable fishing practices<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cCoastal 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,\u201d<\/em> said Dr Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.<\/p>\n\n

From coastal waters to the High Seas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

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): <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cYou cannot protect coastal fisheries without protecting the high seas. Fish migrate, ecosystems are connected, and protection must reflect that reality,\u201d<\/em> said Dr Aliou Ba, Ocean Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa.<\/p>\n\n

Open Boat in Banjul <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

As part of the campaign, Greenpeace Africa will host an Open Boat event<\/strong> in the port of Banjul from 5th to 6th February. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This opportunity will allow:<\/p>\n\n