The Exploitation of Africa's Fish Wealth by Europe
Africa's coastal regions are endowed with rich marine resources that are essential for local economies and food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fish constitutes a crucial source of protein, meeting about 22% of dietary needs in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, the continent only contributes about 7% to global marine production, with many countries not fully capitalizing on their fishing potential. In 2023, Africa produced approximately 14.4 million tons of fish, alongside 1.8 million tons from aquaculture.
Fishing Agreements and Their Impact
African countries are engaged in around 12 fishing agreements with the European Union, which include tuna and mixed fishing contracts. These agreements allow EU vessels to fish in African waters, with countries like Guinea-Bissau recently renewing their agreements for a substantial fee. However, critics, including Columbia University professor Rachid Soumaila, argue that these deals are inequitable, yielding minimal financial returns for African nations compared to the actual value of their marine resources. For instance, Senegal earned just $11.9 million from these agreements between 2000 and 2010, despite the fish caught being valued at $19.2 million.
Challenges of Illegal Fishing and Resource Depletion
In addition to the challenges posed by fishing agreements, illegal fishing remains a significant issue, costing Africa approximately $11.5 billion annually. This illegal activity threatens the livelihoods of 5.2 million people in small-scale fisheries and exacerbates the depletion of marine resources. Greenpeace's Alioua Ba emphasizes that such exploitation not only harms fish stocks but also deepens social and economic inequalities, driving individuals towards migration as they face dwindling resources.
