Key facts
- Fishermen on Sierra Leone's Sherbo Island report significantly reduced fish catches.
- They blame foreign trawlers, predominantly Chinese, for illegally entering protected coastal waters.
- Allegations include deliberate cutting of local fishermen's nets and collisions with small boats.
- West Africa is a global hub for illegal fishing, costing nations an estimated $10 billion annually.
- The Sierra Leone Ministry of Fisheries claims measures are in place to reduce illegal fishing, but fishermen allege corruption.
- An environmental group states China is not doing enough to control its fishing fleet.
Fishermen on Sierra Leone's Sherbo Island are experiencing significantly reduced catches, which they attribute to the increasing presence of large, foreign fishing trawlers, predominantly from China. These vessels are accused of illegally entering the seven-mile exclusion zone meant to protect local fishing grounds, damaging nets, and depleting fish stocks. Thomas Turay, president of the Sierra Leone Fishermen's Union, stated that average catches have fallen by approximately 40% in recent years. Fishermen report that their nets, costing up to $250 to replace, are deliberately cut by the trawlers. Abou Waisissé, a 70-year-old fisherman, described an incident where multiple local boats had their nets cut. Mohamedi Kamara, 55, reported his craft was damaged in a collision with an international trawler. Steve Trent, CEO of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), noted that while other nations' vessels have been involved in illegal fishing in the past, Chinese trawlers now overwhelmingly dominate the region. Local fishermen's complaints to the Ministry of Fisheries have reportedly gone unheeded, with allegations of official corruption and bribery. Sheku Sei, director at the Ministry of Fisheries, denied the extent of the problem, stating that measures like mandatory transponders are in place and reducing illegal fishing. However, Trent argues that China is not doing enough to control its fleet, enabling illegal activities through subsidies and a lack of oversight. The issue of illegal fishing in West Africa is a major concern, with an estimated 40% of the world's unlicensed catch originating from its waters, resulting in billions of dollars in lost revenue and threatening the food security of millions.