The African Fishermen Who Blame Chinese Trawlers for Their Woes

The African fishermen who blame Chinese – On Sierra Leone’s Sherbo Island, a community deeply rooted in coastal traditions, fishermen are grappling with a crisis that has significantly reduced their daily hauls. This small West African island, located approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of the capital Freetown, has long relied on shore-based fishing as a vital source of sustenance and income. But recent years have brought a stark decline in catches, leaving local fishermen frustrated and seeking answers. While the exact causes remain debated, many point to the increasing presence of large, foreign fishing vessels as the primary culprit.

Marie Pierre, a local fisherwoman, describes the struggle as both physical and economic. As she meticulously sorts sardines from discarded jellyfish, she laments the disruptions caused by international trawlers. These ships, she claims, frequently bypass the seven-mile exclusion zone established to protect Sierra Leone’s waters, despite regulations meant to keep them at bay. The exclusion zone, a key safeguard for local fisheries, is allegedly ignored by these vessels, which operate with impunity. “They enter our waters without permission, and their activity is destroying our livelihoods,” Pierre says.

Farther along the shore, Musa Gassimo recounts a more direct form of sabotage. “We cast our nets in the evening and return to shore, only to find them cut during the night,” he explains. The damage, he adds, is not just symbolic. Replacing a single net can cost up to $250 (£189), a substantial sum for families already struggling to make ends meet. Gassimo gestures toward the horizon, where dark silhouettes of trawlers loom, and emphasizes the scale of the problem. “These ships come in numbers, and they’re not just fishing—they’re stealing from us.”

West Africa’s Role in the Global Illegal Fishing Crisis

Sierra Leone is not alone in its battle against illegal fishing. According to a 2024 global report, West Africa remains the epicenter of unlicensed fishing operations, with an estimated 40% of the world’s illicit catch originating from its waters. The economic toll is immense, with the study suggesting that these activities cost the region an estimated $10 billion in lost revenue annually. Beyond the financial impact, the threat to food security is equally alarming, as millions depend on local fisheries for sustenance.

Thomas Turay, president of Sierra Leone’s Fishermen’s Union, attributes the worsening situation to the unchecked expansion of foreign trawlers. “The sea belongs to us,” he asserts, “but these ships come at night and violate the exclusion zone, taking what is rightfully ours.” Turay’s claim is backed by firsthand accounts from his members, who describe how trawlers not only cut nets but also disrupt entire fishing seasons. “Our average catches have dropped by 40% in recent years,” he says. “It’s not just a few bad days—it’s a systemic issue.”

Other fishermen share similar grievances. Abou Waisissé, a 70-year-old fisherman, recalls an incident where multiple local boats were targeted by trawlers. “They came in silently, cutting our lines without warning,” he says. Meanwhile, Mohamedi Kamara, 55, describes a collision that damaged his boat, leaving him with costly repairs and a diminished catch. “We complain to the Fisheries Ministry, but nobody listens,” Kamara adds. His frustration underscores a broader sense of helplessness among the community, who feel their voices are drowned out by powerful foreign operators.

Chinese Vessels Dominating the Scene

Steve Trent, CEO of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), highlights the growing dominance of Chinese trawlers in the region. While South Korean, Taiwanese, and European vessels have historically been present, Trent notes that Chinese ships now constitute the majority of illegal fishing activity off Sierra Leone’s coast. “In the past decade, we’ve seen an overwhelming shift toward Chinese operations,” he says. “Their numbers are increasing, and their methods are more aggressive.”

Trent also points to the broader context of Chinese fishing practices in other parts of the world, where similar allegations of overfishing and environmental harm have been raised. However, the situation in Sierra Leone is unique, as it combines economic strain with cultural erosion. “These ships aren’t just taking fish—they’re taking our future,” he argues. The EJF’s findings suggest that without intervention, the region’s fisheries could face irreversible damage.

In contrast, Sheku Sei, director of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Fisheries, defends the government’s efforts. “Our illegal fishing problem was severe before, but we’ve implemented measures to curb it,” he says. Among these, he cites the requirement for international vessels to carry transponders that track their movements. “We have inspectors who monitor compliance regularly,” he adds. When asked about cases where trawlers might evade detection, Sei insists that such instances are rare. “Vessels that breach the exclusion zone face significant penalties, and we’ve made progress in enforcing them.”

Yet, despite these measures, local fishermen remain skeptical. Sei acknowledges that penalties are in place but admits there are few examples of them being applied in recent years. “The financial deterrent is strong, but enforcement is weak,” Turay points out, highlighting the gap between policy and practice. This disconnect has fueled accusations of official corruption, with Turay suggesting that government officials may be complicit in allowing illegal operations to thrive. “Some people in power are afraid to act against these trawlers because they’re bribed,” he claims.

As the debate continues, the question of responsibility looms large. While the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone has not responded to the BBC’s inquiries, their denial of illegal fishing claims in Latin America offers a glimpse into their broader stance. The issue, however, remains unresolved, with local communities left to navigate a complex web of legal, economic, and political challenges. For now, the fishermen of Sherbo Island continue their work, but with the shadow of foreign trawlers looming over their efforts, their fight for sustainable fishing practices is far from over.

The controversy underscores a global dilemma: how to balance economic gains from international fishing with the preservation of local ecosystems and livelihoods. As the sun sets over Sherbo Island, the rhythmic sound of nets being pulled from the sea is a reminder of a tradition under threat. For the fishermen, the hope is that their voices will finally be heard, and that the exclusion zone will become a shield rather than a suggestion. Until then, the struggle continues, with each net cut and each lost catch adding to the weight of their complaint.