Top Senegalese Hake Fishing Countries

The Senegalese hake (Merluccius senegalensis) is a demersal fish species found along the West African coast, particularly from Morocco to Senegal. Renowned for its mild, flaky flesh, it is a valuable target for both artisanal and industrial fisheries. The primary countries harvesting Senegalese hake are Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, with Morocco hosting the most significant fleet and processing infrastructure. These countries’ fishing industries export much of their hake catch to European markets, especially Spain, Italy, and Portugal, where demand for whitefish is high. Over the decades, international fleets, especially from the European Union, have also operated in these waters under access agreements, contributing to the economic importance and, at times, the overexploitation of this resource. Sustainable management remains a challenge due to the shared nature of the stocks and varying national regulations.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.