High-Risk Migration: From Senegal to the Canary Islands by Sea

Abstract

several years ago, european newspapers regularly published stories and pictures of West african men arriving dehydrated and exhausted on the touristy beaches of the Canary islands (bbC news 2006). Particularly alarming were the large number of deaths en route of migrants not fleeing war or persecution but in search of greener pastures (Ceesay 2007). although migration from West africa is not a new phenomenon the means and trends of migration have changed considerably over the past years, with most notably the increase in irregular migration routes towards europe since the early 1990's. What characterizes these relatively new irregular routes, going overland and oversea, are the high-risks attached to it, with a large proportion of migrants losing their lives en route before they reach their desired destinations. this raises questions on the decision making processes of those participating in these type of migration activities. are they aware of the risks they might face and how does risk inform their decisions to make use of these means of migration? in 2005 and 2006 the sea-passage from the senegalese coast to the Canary islands was among the most popular irregular migration routes from West africa to europe. in traditional wooden fishing boats, locally called gal or pirogue, migrants-the majority coming from senegalmade attempts to enter one of the seven islands of the spanish archipelago from where they hoped to continue their journey to mainland europe. the number of migrants arriving on the islands peaked in 2006 to 32,000. this figure does not include the number of migrants departing from the West african coast but never reached the islands due to premature return or death en route. the distance between dakar, senegal's capital, and the Canary islands, is 938 miles. in the flat-bottomed wooden boats of 14 to 18 meters this trip takes between five to eight days, depending on weather conditions, the navigation skills of the captain and the quality of the boat. the boats in general have no roof and hold a capacity of 50 to 80 persons, depending

Irregular Migration: Factors and Policies That Influence Irregular Migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to the EU

“…Studies have shown that colonial ties increase migration between colonisers and their former colonies because of common official language, business relations, cultural attachment, and/or social networks (Gimenez-Gomez, 2019). The EU has a stable political climate and a strong economic base, and the economic disparities between Africa and the EU are essential predictors of African migration flows (Poeze, 2010). Studies have shown that demand for labour is a way of establishing equilibrium between the sending countries that supply labour and the receiving countries where there are demands for labour.…”

“…Studies have shown that demand for labour is a way of establishing equilibrium between the sending countries that supply labour and the receiving countries where there are demands for labour. It is assumed that emigration will occur when there is a possibility of a good net return (Poeze, 2010). Applying the classical economic push-pull theory, it could be contended that migrants mainly respond to economic differences between the country of origin and the country of destination.…”

“…Applying the classical economic push-pull theory, it could be contended that migrants mainly respond to economic differences between the country of origin and the country of destination. The theory holds that a bad socio-economic and political environment is a push factor from the country of origin, while a stable socio-economic and political environment is regarded as a pull factor toward the receiving country of migration flows (Poeze, 2010).…”

“…It is pertinent to note that economic migration influences both international and internal migration. In most countries, the lack of socio-economic opportunities in rural areas has pushed people to migrate to urban areas for better living conditions and increased gross domestic product (GDP) (Poeze, 2010). Improvements in quality of life and lifestyle, such as higher earnings, better housing standards and better amenities, can influence both regular and irregular migration.…”

Mobilities and Sediments: Spatial Dynamics in the Context of Contemporary Sub-Saharan African Migration to Europe

“…These migration aspirations emerge, however, in times that the popular destination 'Europe' is doing its best efffort to keep out would-be immigrants originating from the global South. This leads to a widespread frustration among sub-Saharan Africans over their relative immobility (see for a Cape-Verdean case Carling (2002), for Malian cases Barten (2009) and Jóns-son (2008), and for Senegalese cases Poeze (2010) and Nyamnjoh (2010)). Partly because of this frustration, many migrants take the route of irregular migration in order to reach the EU (de Haas 2007).…”