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Africa News of Wednesday, 19 February 2020

Source: bbc.com

Mauritania and Senegal sign deal amid fishing wars

Fishing is key to both nations' economies Fishing is key to both nations' economies

Senegalese President Macky Sall's official visit to neighbouring Mauritania ended on Tuesday with the two countries signing a number of deals - on matters of security, transport, energy, mining and fishing.

The Atlantic coast is rich in fish stocks, and fishing is key to both nations' economies.

But decades of mainly European and Asian trawlers scouring its coastline have meant that their waters have been overfished, and the dwindling resources is a source of frequent conflict between Mauritanians and Senegalese.

RFI reports that Mauritania has lifted fines it had imposed on Senegalese fishermen accused of operating in their waters, as part of efforts to improve relations with its neighbour.