Sierra Leone fishermen blame Chinese trawlers for their dwindling catches
Fishing crews in Sierra Leone say large Chinese ships are illegally hoovering up fish stocks. The fishermen say their livelihoods are under threat. The claims revive debate over fishing regulation and enforcement in the region's waters.
Fishing crews in Sierra Leone say large Chinese trawlers are illegally depleting fish stocks in coastal waters. According to the fishermen, these vessels are making it increasingly hard for small-scale boats to earn a living.
Local fishermen describe a marked drop in their catches, saying that in some areas going out to sea no longer pays off. Among the claims are that permitted zones are being breached and that enforcement is falling short. The accounts rest on the fishermen's testimony, and statements from the parties are being assessed separately.
Fishing is critical to the country's economy and to the food security of coastal communities. Experts say the problem could deepen without sustainable stock management and effective monitoring. Any regulatory steps taken by the authorities will be watched in the period ahead.
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