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Watching information of Senegalese migrants arriving on the Canary Islands stirs reminiscences for Babou Diouf of the identical perilous journey he undertook 17 years in the past and his arduous path to his new residence – Burela, on Spain’s northern coast.
Diouf, 46, a fisherman from Bassoul in Senegal’s Sine Saloum delta, was a part of a migration surge in 2006 from West Africa by way of Spain’s Canary Islands, which lie round 100km (60 miles) off Africa’s northwestern coast.
More than 30,000 migrants arrived that 12 months, fleeing poverty exacerbated by a dramatic plunge in coastal fish shares, partly on account of industrial fishing by European Union states, in keeping with lecturers, NGOs, and migrants.
The 2006 document for migrant arrivals by way of the Canaries was damaged final 12 months. Nearly 7,000 died trying the crossing in 2023, in keeping with rights group Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders).
“To see rafts arriving in Spain is very difficult,” mentioned Diouf. “To cross the ocean without knowing what you’re facing – you’re facing death.”
Deprived of his livelihood in Senegal, Diouf ventured north. Today, his fishing expertise has secured him a brand new life in Spain, the place the EU’s largest fishing fleet, shunned by ever extra Spanish employees, is recruiting foreigners to outlive.
The fishing port of Burela has 44 nationalities amongst its 9,450 residents, together with 90 males from Senegal and 244 from Cape Verde, in keeping with the mayor’s workplace.
Foreign employees make up about seven out of 10 crew in Burela’s fishing fleet, mentioned Juan Carlos Otero of Burela’s boat house owners’ affiliation.
The Peruvians had been the primary to reach in 2000 when locals left to work in a brand new metal plant, mentioned Otero. Indonesians are so valued for his or her longline fishing abilities that boat house owners pay for his or her flights to Spain.
Others, just like the Senegalese, discover work by way of phrase of mouth or by turning up on the dock the place, if they’ve residence permits, they’re then provided contracts.
Immigration, largely welcomed by locals, is altering the city. Diouf frequently visits a not too long ago constructed mosque. Cape Verdean girls serve espresso and breakfast at A’Mares, a restaurant within the port.
Working alongside Indonesians, Senegalese and Spaniards on the Sarridal vessel, Diouf is a whirl of exercise, hauling in nets and cleansing and boxing hake throughout 14-hour shifts.
The boat’s captain, Francisco Gonzalez, mentioned Spain’s fishing trade can’t survive with out migrants.
Reuters
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