Yeung, P. (2022, February 1). Illegal overfishing by Chinese trawlers leaves Sierra Leone locals ‘starving’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/01/sierra-leone-families-starving-chinese-trawlers-industrial-overfishing-destroying-lives

The Sierra Leone fishing industry has taken a massive hit as China has invaded their waters. While Sierra Leone’s fishing industry is based on men in wooden boats with string nets China boasts superior boats and technology. Local fishermen follow legal regulations and report all catches. While on the other hand China’s massive refrigerated ships swoop in catching thousands of fish at once. Illegal fishing is costing Sierra Leone an estimated 50 million a year. Some illegal fishers have threatened and attacked native fishers when questioned on the legality of them being there. 

 

Natives of Sierra Leone are being forced to go on risky 3 day fishing excursions to earn barely enough to keep food on the table due to China invading their fishing territory. Sierra Leone only has more basic ways of fishing which China’s high tech boats can easily beat out for the catches. The families of Sierra Leone are starving and unemployed because of illegal overfishing. Suicide rate of fishermen in Sierra Leone has increased since resources started diminishing. People are committing suicide due to their being no food or jobs to support a family. Funding has run out on groups that regulated the ships within Sierra Leone waters. The lower hauls have led to many environmental problems and issues with Sierra Leonians being able to afford the cost of living. There is a tragedy of the commons on a global scale taking place here. The Chinese fishermen have no incentive to not take all the fish.