A new report by Amnesty International has called upon the Gambian government to urgently take all necessary steps to eliminate illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUUF), combat overfishing, and increase the transparency of fishing agreements to protect local communities. The report, titled “The Human Cost of Overfishing” examines the human rights impacts of the fishing industry, specifically highlighting the activities of fishmeal and fish oil factories (FMFO) and the damage caused by foreign-owned industrial trawlers. The research was conducted in Banjul, the capital, and the coastal region of Sanyang, where a large fish oil factory is located.
The report includes testimonies from various stakeholders, including fishermen, fish vendors, restaurant owners, and women farmers working near FMFO factories. These stakeholders have seen their livelihoods threatened by the depletion of fish stocks and the increase in prices, impacting their access to food and basic commodities. Moreover, the report also highlights the impact on the local environment, with fish populations declining to unsustainable levels, threatening the biodiversity of marine life.
Unregulated foreign vessels and FMFO factories are also engaged in malpractices that harm the environment and undermine people’s livelihoods, impacting their economic and social rights. The presence of a foreign-owned FMFO factory in Sanyang in 2017 has led to a decline in the productivity of women farmers’ lands, due to an increase in pests and insects that destroy their vegetables, leading to a decrease in their profits. Additionally, the stench generated by the FMFO factory impacts the local tourism industry, with several business owners losing clients.
The report further emphasizes the lack of transparency and consultation with local communities during the establishment of FMFO factories, with many residents highlighting the lack of meaningful consultations before the factories commenced their operations.
Recommendations
Amnesty International calls upon the Gambian government and international community actors operating in the affected areas to ensure that foreign vessels and FMFO factories respect both national and international fishing regulations. The government should allocate sufficient resources for the navy to combat IUU fishing, and all companies in the fishmeal supply chain must conduct human rights due diligence, including public reporting about the origins of their products. Companies purchasing fishmeal should map their supply chains to analyze human rights risks directly linked to their relationship with suppliers.
The government must also provide remedies to those affected in local communities and make public information about fishmeal factories and the number of foreign vessels authorized to fish in Gambia’s waters. It must lead efforts to protect the rights of local fishing communities, preserve the environment for future generations, and ensure that companies hold meaningful consultations with communities potentially affected by their projects before their work commences.
Editorial
Overfishing threatens not only the stocks of essential fish for local communities but also the biodiversity of marine life, impacting ecosystem balances that have been in place for centuries. Additionally, it poses a fundamental threat to human rights, particularly the rights to food, work, and health. As such, the government of Gambia must take proactive steps to eliminate illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing and combat overfishing to protect local communities. Transparency and consultation with affected stakeholders are vital in ensuring that the decisions made are inclusive, equitable, and take into account the local context’s nuances.
Furthermore, the impact of IUUF practices and FMFO factories is not limited to Gambian communities alone. It has a ripple effect that goes beyond borders, with fish stocks diminishing not just locally but regionally. Coastal communities in West Africa, including the Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, collectively lose USD 2.3 billion annually to illegal fishing. As such, regional cooperation and concerted efforts are critical in combatting the issue.
Conclusion
The Gambia must recognize the magnitude of the impact of overfishing on the environment and human rights. Establishing sustainable fishing practices and enforcing regulations will not only protect local communities’ livelihoods but also ensure the longevity of vital ecological systems. Companies in the fishmeal supply chain must conduct human rights due diligence and provide transparency on the origins of their products. Only through collective efforts can West African coastal communities combat IUUF practices and FMFO factories, which threaten their livelihoods and the environment.
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