Foreign fishing vessels emptying Mauritanian waters as local communities lose income
Heavy fishing by foreign-flagged industrial vessels off Mauritania's coast is sharply eroding catches and incomes for local small-scale fishermen. An Al Jazeera field report raises serious questions about the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in one of West Africa's richest marine zones.
Mauritania's Atlantic waters, considered among the richest fish stocks in West Africa, have seen rising activity from licensed industrial vessels flying flags from China, the European Union, Turkey and others. Al Jazeera's documentary in the area shows small-scale fishermen often returning with nearly empty nets after days at sea.
Local cooperatives say the large trawl nets used in deeper waters also damage the seabed, making it harder for future stocks to replenish themselves. According to Mauritania's Fisheries Ministry, annual industrial catch has risen by about a third over the past five years, while traditional fishing output has declined.
Experts say the bilateral licensing agreements should be reviewed and catch quotas monitored more transparently. International bodies overseeing the sector have warned in sustainability reports that several species in the region are approaching overfishing thresholds.
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