This study, which falls within the FAO mandate of food security and reduction of poverty, was justified for six reasons that call for priority actions for an increased contribution of small pelagic fish species to social, economic, and nutritional conditions of the population:
large volumes of small pelagics are annually landed in Senegal and in other countries in the region;
though a lot of fish is processed, losses occur during the peak fishing season of small pelagics owing to the limited capacity of the artisanal facilities;
generally known as low-value species, small pelagics are primarily hot-smoked and sun-dried;
these species are consumed across the major stratum of the population represented by the poorer communities and are also important source of incomes for them;
the need for good handling and processing conditions for consumer’s health protection;
the need to provide data on extension patterns and diversification of marketing channels for the development of the artisanal post-harvest fisheries.
