• 724 km of shoreline
• 234 000 km² of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• Permanent upwelling
• Wide continental shelf and very large area of shallow waters (Banc d'Arguin)
• The largest fishing area in Africa
• Completely free of polluion zone.

• Large species diversity
• Great commercial value (70 species exported)
• Demersal resources almost fully exploited
• Major potential in pelagic resources
• Unexploited clam stock of 300 000 tons
• Catches in the range of 650 000 tons/year
• Industrial fishing: 90%
• Artisanal (small scale) and coastal fishing: 10%.

• 40% of national revenue in foreign currency (second sector after mining);
• 20 to 25% of State budgetary revenue
• About 10% of Gross National Product (GNP)
• 30 000 jobs of which 36% are modern sector jobs
• National consumption of 4,3 kg/per capita/year
• Catch export > 95%
• Fish processed products ~10% of exported products