Welcome, adventure-thirsty Anglers! We’re just reaching the coasts of Mauritania, our new fishery, and while plenty of exploration awaits us here, this Fishing Clash update also introduces a new gameplay mode: Fishing Quest!

From this article, we will learn about the fascinating fishing culture in Mauritania and discover what awaits us during Fishing Quest, a new and engaging Event type in which we won’t just contemplate exploring the waters but actually do it ourselves! The seas are calling, so let’s depart!

Mauritania and Artisanal Fishing

Mauritania is a land of contrasts, nestled between the vast sands of the Sahara Desert and the rich Atlantic waters. While much of its territory is dominated by arid landscapes, its long, 466-mile (or 750-kilometer) coastline is home to one of Africa’s most important artisanal fishing cultures. Here, in the shallow waters of Banc d’Arguin and Nouadhibou, traditional fishers rely on boats called pirogues (not to be confused with pierogi, the food!), time-honored techniques, and even cooperation with wild dolphins to sustain their way of life! Passed down through generations, these low-impact, sustainable fishing methods provide livelihoods for thousands of Mauritanians and preserve the delicate marine ecosystems that make the region unique.

Artisanal Art

Artisanal fishing in Mauritania is a tradition that is deeply rooted in the coastal communities that rely on the bounty of the Atlantic. Unlike large industrial fleets that operate in deep-sea waters, local fishers use handcrafted wooden pirogues to navigate shallow banks and lagoons with skill passed down through time. They employ a range of sustainable techniques, including handlines, gillnets, and octopus traps, ensuring that their catch remains selective and minimizes harm to marine life. Fishing is not just an economic activity here – it is a way of life, with entire families and villages depending on the sea for both sustenance and trade. However, the growing presence of foreign fishing vessels and the challenges posed by climate change are making it increasingly difficult for these small-scale fishers to maintain their traditional practices. The Mauritanian authorities, however, are doing their best to tackle these issues through regulation and systemic changes. Fishing enthusiasts such as us may only hope they prevail to protect and preserve the traditions.

A Helping Fin

One of Mauritania’s most remarkable and unique fishing methods is dolphin-assisted fishing, practiced exclusively by the Imraguen people living in the area of the Banc d’Arguin National Park. This ancient technique relies on a natural collaboration between fishers and wild bottlenose dolphins, who work together to herd schools of mullet into shallow waters. Paddling silently in their pirogues, the Imraguen fishers use claps, whistles, and rhythmic splashes to signal the dolphins, which in turn instinctively respond by driving the fish toward the shore. At just the right moment, the fishers cast their fine-meshed nets, securing their catch while the dolphins take their share. This extraordinary partnership, built on generations of understanding and coexistence, illustrates the possibility of a deep connection between humans, nature, and the rhythms of the sea. A marvel just to contemplate!

Mauritania: Fishing Quest Origins

Alongside the release of the Mauritania fishery, the Fishing Clash team is also exploring new ways for our Anglers to enjoy the game. From Hokkaido onwards, the latest fisheries represented progression with Boats, which allow for customization and yield cool rewards for doing so. In Mauritania, we also have our Boat, specific to the location, but this time we wanted to go even further! We’re introducing Fishing Quest, a board-game-like exploration of the area tied to the active in-game Events! Since this mode is all about exploring, let’s do just that!

Fishing Quest Begins!

Anglers can access Fishing Quest through its Event, and upon arrival, they will notice a familiar Boat from Mauritania. During Fishing Quest, we move around the area by selecting where we want to sail to, collect rewards, and take on various fishing challenges to progress further. In the first Fishing Quest, the area to explore is vast, and we will be traveling for several days, so be sure to log in to the game frequently if you wish to complete it and grab all the rewards!

This new, exciting mode may seem somewhat familiar in its appearance to some of our Anglers. The design team wanted to incorporate novel gameplay into our existing adventures while keeping things simple visually and easy on the devices we use to play. To some extent, Fishing Quest resembles a board game, but it’s definitely one that doesn’t demand flipping through multiple pages of rulebooks and shouldn’t put any friendships at risk!

We hope that traveling through Mauritania this way will be an exciting experience for all, making fishing even more enjoyable! Since this is only our first Fishing Quest, if you have any feedback or suggestions you’d like to share, be sure to reach us from the in-game help center or by any other means. For now, please excuse this author, as adventure and exploration are calling… See you in the game, Anglers!