Chinese longline tuna vessels operating out of Dakar port are engaging in illegal shark finning [1], according to recent reports.
This activity undermines international conservation bans and threatens marine biodiversity in West African waters. By removing high-value fins and discarding the remainder of the animal, these operations maximize profit while causing significant ecological damage [1], [2].
The practice involves cutting the fins off sharks and throwing the still-living bodies back into the ocean [1]. This method is described as both wasteful and cruel [2]. The vessels involved are primarily longline tuna boats that use the Senegal port as a base for their operations [1].
International regulations prohibit the practice of finning to prevent the overexploitation of shark species. Despite these bans, Dakar port has become a hotspot for the trade [2]. The high market value of shark fins continues to drive the illegal harvest, even as global pressure to protect these apex predators increases [1].
Observers said that the ability of these vessels to operate within a major port suggests a gap in enforcement or oversight [2]. The continued presence of these activities in Senegal highlights the difficulty of policing high-seas fishing fleets once they dock in regional hubs [1].
“Dakar port has become a hotspot for the trade”
The reported finning operations in Dakar demonstrate the persistent challenge of enforcing international maritime law within sovereign ports. Because shark fins command high prices on the global market, the financial incentive often outweighs the risk of penalties, particularly when oversight at the port level is insufficient to deter illegal processing.
