Navigating uncertain currents: Unpacking fishermen's economic hardship and overfishing amidst undocumented migration in the region of Sfax (Tunisia).

This article examines the transformation of traditional fishing communities in Sfax, Tunisia, driven by environmental degradation, overfishing, industrial pollution, and restrictive migration policies. Based on fourteen interviews conducted in August 2024 across key harbours, the study reveals how declining fish stocks and regulatory failures have pushed fishermen to engage increasingly in undocumented migration networks, including migrant smuggling. The research highlights the complex interplay between state regulation, economic marginalization, and local agency, showing that punitive policies disproportionately affect small-scale fishermen while enabling powerful actors to exploit marine resources. It calls for integrated policies that restore marine ecosystems, support artisanal livelihoods, and address the socio-economic factors underpinning undocumented migration, emphasizing the need to align environmental sustainability with social equity in migration governance.