How the ‘Galápagos of west Africa’ is plundered by floating fish factories (www.theguardian.com)
from HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to world@lemmy.world on 09 Mar 09:44
https://sh.itjust.works/post/56511960

Like Pereira, many of these creatures in this area rely on sardinella, a small oily fish. It is a vital food source for migratory birds such as terns that winter in Bijagós in their tens of thousands, as well as for barracudas and jacks, and whales and dolphins further out to sea.

But the shoals of this pelagic fish draw another, more voracious predator: industrial boats fishing the boundary of the marine protected area, which in theory they cannot enter.

Among the vessels circulating here in 2025 was the Hua Xin 17. At 125 metres, it is longer than a football field. It is listed as a cargo ship in maritime databases, but a new investigation by the Guardian and DeSmog can reveal that the Chinese-owned boat is in fact a floating factory that turns fresh sardinella into fishmeal and oil by the tonne.

Eyewitness accounts, exclusive video footage and satellite records show that a group of Turkish boats that supply the Hua Xin 17 appear to have routinely fished sardinella illegally inside Bijagós.

#world