Where the Atlantic is richest.
750 km of desert coast facing one of the most productive seas on earth. This is where your octopus, shrimp and fish come from, and where we work every day.
Cold water, rich life.
- 01
The Canary Current
A cold current runs south along the coast. Trade winds push the surface water offshore and nutrient-rich water rises from the deep. This upwelling makes these waters some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world.
- 02
Banc d'Arguin
A national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site between the two cities. Its shallow waters are a nursery for fish, shrimp and cephalopods. Industrial fishing is not allowed here.
- 03
Nouadhibou
The fishing capital, on the Cap Blanc peninsula. Industrial port, artisanal port, most of the processing plants, cold stores and freezer vessels.
- 04
Nouakchott
The capital. Artisanal landings on the beach, the fish market, plants approved for the EU and the Gulf, and the international airport for fresh fish by air.
of Atlantic coastline
seafood exported through the SMCP in 2025, a record
SMCPof export value comes from octopus
est. 40–50 %EU-approved processing plants on land, plus 88 freezer and factory vessels
EU TRACES, Aug 2026
When to buy what.
Mauritania protects its stocks with biological closures. Plan your orders around them. Most buyers book the octopus season before the fleet goes back to sea.
Open Partly open Closure · Indicative. The autumn 2026 closure starts on 10 October.
One door out: the SMCP.
Mauritania exports its frozen seafood through one state company, the SMCP (Société Mauritanienne de Commercialisation de Poissons). The rules are clear, but new buyers often lose time with plants, banks and paperwork. That is where we help.
- 01
Approved plant
The goods are processed and frozen in a plant approved by ONISPA, the national food-safety authority, and listed by the EU for export to Europe.
- 02
Sale through the SMCP
Frozen seafood is exported through the SMCP, the state marketing company. It sets reference prices and signs the sales contract with the buyer.
- 03
Letter of credit
The buyer opens an irrevocable, confirmed letter of credit at sight in favour of the SMCP at a Mauritanian bank.
- 04
Documents
Health certificate, certificate of origin, EU catch certificate, packing list and bill of lading are issued in Mauritania.
- 05
Shipping
Reefer container from Nouadhibou or Nouakchott, or air freight for fresh fish.
Fadi Hamayda Managing Director
Fadi leads PROFUNDOR from Nouadhibou. He works directly with the plants, traders and boat owners in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott and speaks their language: Arabic, Hassaniya and French, and English with our buyers. With a small network of local partners he follows your order from the plant to the port.