The African fishermen who blame Chinese trawlers for their woes

The African Fishermen Who Blame Chinese Trawlers for Their Woes

The African fishermen who blame Chinese - Residents of Sherbo Island in Sierra Leone report a significant decline in their fishing yields, casting blame on large, foreign trawlers that have encroached upon their waters. This small, West African community has long relied on shore-based fishing as a cornerstone of its economy and culture, but recent years have seen the once-abundant sea yield fewer catches. The struggle is not just about scarcity—it’s about a perceived invasion of their territory by vessels from distant shores, which they claim are systematically depleting local fish stocks.

Shore Fishing in Decline

On the rugged shores of Sherbo Island, a collective effort is required to haul in nets filled with snapper, mackerel, barracuda, rays, and countless other species. Villagers work together, pulling ropes with coordinated shouts to bring the wriggling mass of fish ashore. Yet, this traditional practice has become increasingly difficult as foreign trawlers, operating under the cover of darkness, disrupt their efforts. Musa Gassimo, a local fisherman, recounts how these ships sabotage their work: “We cast our nets in the evening and return to shore. In the night, the trawlers have come and [deliberately] cut the lines.”

"The sea belongs to us, but for the foreign trawlers, they come at night and violate the seven-mile exclusion zone, they come right into the shore here." – Thomas Turay, President of Sierra Leone’s Fishermen’s Union

These allegations are echoed by many in the community, who say the nets are costing them up to $250 (£189) to replace after being severed by the trawlers. The exclusion zone, meant to protect coastal fisheries, is seemingly ignored by the international ships, which anchor just beyond its boundary and then drift into the area under the cover of darkness. For Abou Waisissé, a 70-year-old fisherman, the damage is personal: “Multiple small, local fishing boats saw their nets cut in an attack that left us scrambling to recover what we could.”

A Global Crisis with Local Impact

West Africa remains the global epicentre for illegal fishing, according to a 2024 report. The study reveals that an estimated 40% of the world’s unlicensed catch can be traced to the region’s waters, costing nations a combined $10bn in lost revenues. This loss threatens not only the livelihoods of fishermen but also the food security of millions who depend on the sea for sustenance. Thomas Turay, a prominent advocate for local fishermen, emphasizes the gravity of the situation: “The illegal fishing is too much. We’ve seen the sea transformed from a source of abundance into a battleground for survival.”

Despite efforts to monitor the activity, the problem persists. Fishermen like Mohamedi Kamara, 55, describe collisions with large trawlers that have damaged their boats, leaving them in a precarious position. “Our claims go nowhere. Nobody listens,” Kamara laments. This sense of frustration is compounded by the belief that government officials are complicit, as Thomas Turay suggests: “Government authorities are afraid to help the local fishermen. I know that somebody doing this illegal business has the money to bribe and pay.”

International Vessels and the Exclusion Zone

While local fishermen argue that Chinese trawlers are the primary culprits, the problem extends beyond a single nationality. Steve Trent, CEO and co-founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, points out that vessels from South Korea, Taiwan, and Europe have also been involved in similar activities. However, he highlights a growing dominance: “Now, when you look across that region, it is overwhelmingly Chinese.”

The exclusion zone, a seven-mile buffer meant to safeguard coastal fisheries, is increasingly breached by these ships. According to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Fisheries, all international vessels are required to carry transponders to track their movements. Sheku Sei, the ministry’s director, maintains that these measures have reduced illegal fishing: “Our illegal fishing, it used to be a big problem. But we’ve put in place measures, so it’s reducing.”

Yet, the effectiveness of these policies is questioned. When asked about vessels switching off transponders to evade detection, Sei insists that such tactics are not common in Sierra Leone’s waters. He also points to financial penalties as a deterrent, though he admits there are few examples of these penalties being enforced over the past decade. “The financial penalties for breaching the exclusion zone provide a strong deterrent,” Sei says, though he acknowledges the gap between policy and practice.

Chinese Trawlers and Global Allegations

Chinese trawlers have been accused of overfishing in other parts of the world, raising concerns about their activities in Sierra Leone. The Environmental Justice Foundation’s Steve Trent notes that while the issue is global, the impact is most acutely felt in West Africa. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment, leaving the accusations unanswered. However, recent allegations of illegal fishing in Latin American waters have prompted a blanket denial from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

For the fishermen of Sherbo Island, the lack of action from both local and international authorities fuels their anger. They describe a pattern of disregard for their rights, with trawlers operating unchecked in the exclusion zone. “The net is our lifeline, and these ships are taking it away,” says Marie Pierre, a woman who spends her days picking sardines from discarded jellyfish. Her words reflect a broader sentiment: that the sea, once a shared resource, is now a contested space where the powerful can exploit the weak.

As the debate continues, the fishermen of Sherbo Island stand at the forefront of a growing crisis. Their stories highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations and greater transparency in international operations. With each passing night, the trawlers come again, and the community watches as their heritage and future slip away. The question remains: will the authorities finally act, or will the sea continue to be a symbol of their struggle against unseen forces?