Overview

The Setal Sunu Géej Initiative addresses marine plastic pollution through targeted seabed clean-ups along Senegal’s coastline, beginning in the Dakar region. The project focuses on removing ghost fishing gear and submerged plastics, restoring degraded marine ecosystems, and repurposing recovered waste within a circular economy framework.

Senegal’s coastal ecosystems are under severe threat from plastic pollution, which damages marine habitats, reduces fish stocks, and undermines the livelihoods of artisanal fishing communities that support over one million people. Ghost nets and plastic debris smother seafloor habitats, destroy active fishing gear, contaminate seafood with microplastics, and contribute to the mass mortality of marine fauna and flora. These impacts weaken food security, increase economic vulnerability, reduce climate resilience, and disproportionately affect women and youth who depend on coastal economies.

The initiative adopts an integrated approach combining environmental restoration, data generation, and community engagement. Seventeen targeted underwater clean-ups will be conducted in Yoff, the Bay of Hann, Gorée Island, and other priority hotspots identified with Marine Protected Areas. Recovered waste will be systematically sorted, weighed, and characterized to inform recycling and disposal pathways. In partnership with Plastic Odyssey and ACC’s recycling network, recoverable plastics will be repurposed to support local circular-economy solutions.

The project emphasizes strong community participation, environmental education, youth and women’s inclusion, and sustained collaboration with municipalities, NGOs, and local institutions to ensure long-term impact and ownership.

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