AP PHOTOS: Fishermen say a new natural gas project off Senegal’s coast threatens their livelihoods

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

SAINT LOUIS, Senegal (AP) — Fishermen say a new natural gas project off the coast of Senegal — a joint venture between British energy giant BP and U.S.-based Kosmos Energy — is threatening their livelihoods.

The project, which started operations late last year, is meant to bring jobs to the densely populated fishing community.

But residents say they are catching fewer fish because the fish are drawn to the project’s platform, which fishermen cannot approach. They also say the price of cooking gas keeps rising, even after lower prices were a major selling point for the project.

Fishermen return to Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen return to Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

With the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform in the background, local fishermen fish off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

With the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform in the background, local fishermen fish off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Aerial view of the fishing town of St Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Aerial view of the fishing town of St Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen unload their catch after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen unload their catch after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Aerial view of the fishing town of St Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Aerial view of the fishing town of St Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fresh fish is transported to the market in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fresh fish is transported to the market in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen prepare to go to sea from the beach of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen prepare to go to sea from the beach of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Fishermen park their pirogues after returning from fishing in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

View of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas extraction platform located 8km from the beach Off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

BP says talks with the community are ongoing.

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.