Deadly Catch - the impacts of illegal fishing in West Africa

Deadly Catch takes a closer look at the huge impacts illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, or pirate fishing, is having on communities in Sierra Leone and West Africa.
The threats to food security, fragile local economies and the lives of local fishermen are all major problems caused by IUU vessels for these coastal communities.

 

Audio of discussion at Hay Festival 2009

Listen to the discussion about pirate fishing with Antony Worrall Thompson, John Vidal, Quentin Clark and EJF director Steve Trent highlighting at Hay Festival 2009.

 

EJF's boat in Sierra Leone

EJF delivers the boat to the communities of Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone.
It will be used to help combat pirate fishing but also as a water ambulance.

 

Pirate Fishing in Sierra Leone

The impacts of illegal ‘pirate’ fishing are both environmental and social, and often hit the poorest of the world the hardest. In Sierra Leone local people tell their stories.

 

Illegal 'pirate' fishing PSA

In 2 minutes learn about what pirate fishing is, and the devastating impacts it’s having on oceans and people around the world.

 

Stolen Fish (8 mins)

‘Stolen Fish’ documents the extent and impacts of illegal 'pirate' fishing off the coast of West Africa. It investigates who the pirates are, and the sophisticated ways they 'launder' illegal catches into the European market so that the fish ends up on our plates.

 

Stop Trawling - JALA

Industrial bottom trawling is one of the most destructive forms of fishing in the world, which both destroys seabed habitats and results in huge levels of bycatch. In North Sumatra, Indonesia, EJF has worked with partner JALA to expose how local fishing communities are the ones who suffer when fish stocks crash.

 

How Guinea's Fish Are Stolen (13.04.06)

The West African nation of Guinea is considered one of the hardest hit by illegal pirate fishing.

 

Branded a Pirate (12.04.06)

After observing its illegal pirate fishing activities off the coast of West Africa, EJF and Greenpeace International work together to brand a pirate fishing vessel with ‘Stolen Fish’.

 

Pirate Fishing in Guinean Waters (2005)

The impacts of pirate fishing in Guinea, which loses over US$100 million of fish to illegal operators every year.