Understanding Overfishing in West Africa

In West African waters, vessels of various origins fish illegally. As a result, fish become scarcer and more expensive for local populations. This worrisome situation threatens both food security and local economies. 

Infographic: Illegal fishing in West Africa

In 2014:

• 81.5 MILLION TONS of fish caught at sea in the year.

• 30 MILLION TONS of dead fish discarded in the water during the year.

• 40% DECREASE marine animal populations since 1970.

• 12.3 MILLION PEOPLE depend directly on these sectors of activity.

Overfishing in 4 key points :

1. OVEREXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES

   By taking too many fish from an area, we break the balance of nature. There are no more specimens left to ensure the reproduction of the species.

2. BY-CATCHES

   Industrial fishing carries many unwanted species along its trail. These by-catches are too often treated as waste and released into the water, dead or dying. Some dump more to the water than they bring back to the port…

3. BOTTOM TRAWLING

   By scraping the seabed, trawlers are destroying natural habitats. These practices jeopardize species renewal and weaken ecosystems.

4. ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, UNREGULATED, FISHING

   By violating international laws and treaties, pirates are jeopardizing the future of the underwater world. It is very difficult to regulate activities related to task on the scale of the globle and bea pass between the meshes.

Read also: GreenPeace Africa, Cost Per Capture