Local fishing communities on Sierra Leone’s Sherbro Island are warning that illegal foreign trawlers are destroying their livelihoods by invading protected coastal waters, tearing up local nets, and severely reducing fish stocks.
A 2024 report estimated that West Africa loses billions of Dollars every year to illegal fishing, with roughly 40% of the world’s unlicensed catch linked directly to the region. Local fishermen have accused mainly Chinese vessels of encroaching on their territory. However, government authorities have denied widespread violations, claiming that maritime monitoring systems have improved.
Despite these assurances, environmental campaigners argue that much stronger local enforcement and international pressure are urgently needed to protect West African fisheries and secure food safety for the region.
–ChannelAfrica–
