Illegal fishing impacts on the lives of many, but many are also actively working together to combat it. Campaigners, community leaders, fisherfolk and policymakers give their views:

Chief Inspector - Guinean Ministry for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Conakry

"In order to develop sustainable and responsible fisheries, we must fight illegal fishing. That can only happen if all the stakeholders are involved. The development of a participative surveillance system on the one hand, and the availability of adequate human, financial and technical means on the other hand, would make it possible to decrease that practice which causes huge economic losses and destroys our country's marine resources."

"In Guinea, efforts are made by the government and the media - awareness raising by radio, television and newspapers - to fight this plague. Despite our limited means, vessels are arrested and severely punished."

Director of the West African Surveillance Operations Co-ordination Unit (SOCU), Banjul, Gambia

"It's important to act at a regional level because the fishing vessels that are being pursued, like the fish that they are trying to catch, do not recognise geographical boundaries. One State having in place a strict management and surveillance regime, and its neighbour not having one, does not help in combating illegal fishing activities."

Chairman of the Guinean Union of Artisanal Fishermen, Boulbinet, Conakry

"During the day, trawlers stay further from the coast because they know they could be seen by fishermen and surveillance boats. At night they move in close to shore to trawl the coastal waters. At dawn they move out again. And that's when many accidents happen."

Artisanal fisherman, Conakry, Guinea

"I was at sea fishing at night with three other fishermen when we saw a fishing vessels heading our way with its lights turned off. By the time we started the engine and turned away, the boat hit our canoe which broke in two. I managed to hang on to a few buoys. I could hear my friends shouting but I could not see them. I drifted for several days before being rescued by other fishermen."

Camara was lucky to get away with a perforated chest and injured ankle. His three fellow fishermen drowned.

Chairwoman of the Cooperative of Women Fish Smokers in Bonfi (Conakry)

"We are concerned about fisheries because our lives depend on it. If the quantity of fish decreases it will impact our lives. We have our children and it is through this job that we feed them. We know no other job than smoking the fish."

Coordinator of Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (Brussels)

"Those who fish illegally steal not only fish but lives and livelihoods. This is particularly true in the case of IUU trawlers active in developing countries coastal zones. Illegal incursions by trawlers into the coastal zone, often at night, lead to collisions with local fishing canoes. In such encounters, not only is the canoe lost, but fishermen's lives can be lost too. Even when only the canoe is lost, it means that a fisherman, proud owner of a small canoe one day, can become destitute the day after."

"IUU trawlers pillaging developing countries coastal resources also deprive local communities of the fish they eat, process, and sell. It's the whole local fishing community which is put under threat by such IUU activities."

European Parliament Fisheries Advisor to the Green/EFA Group (Brussels)

"The European Parliament has spoken out very strongly against illegal fishing, and especially against the role played by Europeans. The EU is a major market for the fish caught by these pirates, and many EU companies own and operate pirate vessels. So the EU needs to do much more, by keeping pirate fish out of Europe and by stopping EU ship-owners from using flags of convenience. The recent work by EJF to show the connections between the EU and fishing plunder are a great help in bringing pressure where it is most needed."