Publication - May 7, 2015
West African waters remain one of the few fertile fishing
grounds in the world. For many coastal countries, fishing
contributes significantly to the national economy as an
income source. It also contributes to job creation and,
more importantly, to food security for local populations.
But West Africa is no exception to the overfishing that
affects all the world’s oceans. The most recent studies
show a decline of many species of both demersal and
pelagic fish stocks.
However, it remains to be seen if the future fisheries management policies will provide the required solutions, for several reasons: poor political and economic strategic choices, lack of political will, lack of resources to ensure effective control of fishing activities in their EEZ resulting in widespread illegal fishing.
Taking advantage of the weaknesses of fisheries management systems, unscrupulous players undermine the future of many people who rely on this sector for their food security and livelihoods. The case studies analysed in this report expose a widespread fraud involving Chinese companies, both vessels flying the Chinese flag and vessels operating under joint ventures and the serious and largely unquantifiable impacts on West African fishing communities’ livelihood and food security, the marine environment and government revenue.
Download the full report "Scam on the African Coast"