Introduction

On the Atlantic coast of Sierra Leone, the rhythm of daily life on Sherbo Island has changed dramatically. Traditional shore fishing, once a reliable source of food and income, now faces a severe decline as foreign trawlers sweep in under cover of darkness. Local crews recount evening hauls that end with empty nets and costly repairs, pointing to a surge in illegal fishing activity that threatens both their livelihoods and regional marine health.

Impact on Local Livelihoods

Fishermen such as Musa Gassimo describe returning from night‑time nets only to find lines cut and nets torn, sometimes costing up to $250 to replace. Thomas Turay, president of Sierra Leone’s Fishermen’s Union, notes that average catches have fallen roughly 40% in recent years. This loss is echoed across West Africa, where a 2024 global report estimated that unlicensed fishing accounts for 40% of the region’s catch, siphoning an estimated $10 billion in revenues and jeopardizing food security for millions.

Women on the shore, like Marie Pierre, gather discarded sardines while the men struggle with dwindling stocks. The presence of large vessels on the horizon, often identified as Chinese‑flagged, is now a nightly fixture. Reported violations include breaching a seven‑mile exclusion zone designed to protect coastal fisheries, with vessels anchoring just beyond the limit before slipping in under cover of night.

Calls for Enforcement and International Action

Local fishermen have appealed to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Fisheries, but officials such as Sheku Sei argue that new tracking measures and penalties are in place, though no violations have been publicly recorded in the past decade. Environmental Justice Foundation co‑founder Steve Trent counters that Chinese distant‑water fleets continue to operate with insufficient oversight, enabled by subsidies and weak regulation.

Advocates stress that stronger regional enforcement, transparent monitoring of transponders, and global consumer awareness are essential. The fish caught by these trawlers often ends up on tables worldwide, linking distant markets to the plights of West African coastal communities. Addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing therefore aligns with broader goals of environmental stewardship, social justice and sustainable development.

As voices from the shore grow louder, the demand for tangible action—both from national authorities and the international community—remains urgent. The future of Sierra Leone’s coastal economy may depend on whether these calls translate into effective protection of marine resources and the people who depend on them.