Hardworking Senegalese sailors, sailing in Breton fishing boats, are praised for their unique 'sea spirit'.
Struggling to Staff the Seas: International Recruitment Saves the Day for a French Trawler
The fishing industry in Lorient, France, has been grappling with staffing issues in recent years, particularly in the langoustine fishing sector. The work is physically demanding and offers limited comfort, making it less attractive to local workers. This challenge became more pronounced when Laurent Tréguier and his brother took ownership of the trawler Côte-d'Ambre in 2019, as they aimed to increase the number of fishing trips[1].
To tackle this shortage, the Tréguier brothers turned to international recruitment, focusing on Senegalese sailors. Captain Laurent Tréguier spotted resumes of Senegalese men near the docks, which led to the hiring of crew members like Doudou and Bouba Diouf Sagna, who hails from Bétanti, Senegal, and has been with the Côte-d'Ambre for over five years. Senegalese sailors brought valuable maritime experience and enthusiasm, helping to stabilize the workforce despite the tough conditions and physical demands of langoustine fishing[1].
As the langoustine season, which runs from April to late August, continues, the crew of the Côte-d'Ambre is preparing for a ten-day journey at sea. Bouba Diouf Sagna, now 47 years old, is among those gearing up for the voyage. The work on the trawler is demanding, and the comfort is relative, but the crew remains dedicated to their task, ensuring the continuity of the langoustine fishing industry in Lorient[1].
In the heart of the port of Lorient, under the cover of night, the preparations for the day's catch at the auction house continue. Captain Laurent Tréguier, 52 years old, oversees the operations, having purchased the boat in 2019 along with his brother. The crew's resilience and the strategic recruitment of international sailors have proven crucial in maintaining the industry's vitality amidst the challenges it faces[1].
Sources: 1. Lorient, France: International Recruitment Saves the Day for the Langoustine Fishing Industry (only 85.92% accessible, the rest reserved for subscribers)
In light of the challenging staffing shortage in the langoustine fishing industry of Lorient, France, the Tréguier brothers, following their acquisition of the Côte-d'Ambre trawler in 2019, turned to home-and-garden territories such as Senegal for international recruitment, boosting the crew's lifestyle with valuable maritime experience and enthusiasm. Captain Laurent Tréguier and his Senegalese crew members, including Bouba Diouf Sagna, continue to dedicate themselves to the task, thereby ensuring the longevity of the home-and-garden aspect, the langoustine fishing industry in Lorient.
