Joal is, with Dakar and Mbour, one of Senegal's largest fishing ports. It has relied on the traditional "pirogue & net" fishing activities as main income and source of protein for its about 46.000 population. Fish stocks in the area around Joal have however been overfished and depleted mainly by large-scale industrial fishers from developed countries, challenging the local population to find alternative sources of income and nutrition.
L2H supports the Assunta training center of a community of Roman Catholic missionary sisters. This professional formation center provides training to young women without formal education to build their skills, in particular to meet the increasing demand for skilled personnel in the hospitality sector. The northern part of the Petite Côte Wikipedia has been affected by beach erosion. Hospitality groups have increased their offering in the area between Mbour and Joal. Furthermore, Joal is the entry gate to the Sine-Saloum, a destination that has become increasingly popular with the environmentally conscious traveler Wikipedia.
