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Illegal Fishing Still Rampant In African Waters

As a new report lays bare the massive financial costs to developing states of illegal fishing, campaigners are hoping that drawing attention to the practice's devastating economic effects will help push governments to greater action against the illicit trade, writes Ed Holt for IPS.

Several African countries have signed numerous agreements with trading blocs such as the European Union (EU). However, in countries such as Kenya, Lamu fishers - especially those operating on the northern shores of the Indian Ocean, from Kiwayu to Kipungani and Mpeketoni on the Tana River county boundary - are complaining that trawlers believed to be from China, Spain and South Korea have been spotted operating illegally in shallow waters at night.

The Financial Transparency Coalition reports that Africa has 48.9% of identified industrial and semi-industrial vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing - 40% of which is in West Africa alone - which has become a global epicentre for these activities.

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Minkoh / FAO/SFLP Project / Flickr

Women fish processors in West Africa.

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