‘Europe is not paradise’- one man’s mission to stop Senegal’s youth dying at sea – video

The migration route from Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands ranks among the deadliest in the world. Young people often embark on this perilous journey aboard flimsy fishing canoes. Moustapha Diouf, a Senegalese fisherman, is familiar with the dangers firsthand. He once attempted the voyage himself, motivated by a desire to secure a better life in Europe for his family. Tragically, he lost several friends during the attempt.

Now back in Dakar, Moustapha is on a mission to deter young fishermen from making the same perilous journey. Instead, he is committed to helping them establish small businesses to improve their livelihoods. However, the situation is dire; dwindling fish stocks, exacerbated by EU trawlers operating off Senegal’s coast, have led to a significant reduction in available work. As desperation grows, an increasing number of young people are choosing to risk everything for a shot at a better life.