US EditionA ‘Sea War’ Brews Off Gambia as Desperate Local Fishermen Attack Foreign Vessels, and Each Other
Local fishermen face losses from foreign trawlers violating exclusive zones; government mandates 30% Gambian crew on foreign vessels amid rising maritime conflicts.
- Last year, video obtained by The Associated Press shows an arson attack on a foreign-owned fishing vessel that left Gambian crewman Kawsu Leigh severely burned and struggling to recover.
- In the past two years, Gambia's government raised the mandatory share of Gambian crew on foreign-owned vessels from 20% to at least 30%, while local fishermen say foreign trawlers fish as close as 5 nautical miles, inside the 9 nautical miles exclusive fishing zone, sparking confrontations.
- Gambia's maritime units detained eight foreign trawlers in March last year and Gambia's navy detained three vessels last month, while a collision last year involving Majilac 6 killed three local fishermen.
- Facing lost gear and rising costs, fishermen Famara and Salif Ndure report losing more than half their nets to foreign trawlers, prompting some local fishing communities in Gambia to sell boats or consider migrating to Europe.
- There are concerns that fish like grouper and sardinella are over-exploited, according to an Amnesty International , while Gambia's navy relies on international nonprofit organizations as offenders often return to sea and fines can be negotiated.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Facing economic pressure, Gambian fishermen are fighting trawlers - and each other
Gambian crews on international trawlers fishing on the country's shores have become the accidental targets of local fishermen's anger, whose livelihoods are threatened by the foreign vessels' aggressive fishing strategies.
Ottumwa Courier
Photos from the Gambian coast, where a 'sea war' is brewing
BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — A brewing “sea war” off Gambia pits local fishermen against foreign trawlers, and each other, as overfishing and global seafood demand strain dwindling stocks. The clashes are fracturing coastal communities, with experts warning that Gambia’s fish…
Turbulent Tides: Gambian Fishermen Caught in the Conflict of Foreign Trawler Dominance
Gambian fishermen face dire circumstances as they contend with foreign trawlers overfishing in their waters. Tensions have escalated into violence, threatening local livelihoods and food security. The government's reforms to include locals on foreign vessels have inadvertently fueled internal conflicts, with fishermen becoming migrants or victims in a 'sea war.'
The Daily Advance
Takeaways: Gambia's fishermen are caught in a 'sea war' with foreign vessels
A “sea war” is brewing off the West African nation of Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign commercial fishing vessels, and each other. The fight is driven by market
Washington Top News
A ‘sea war’ brews off Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign vessels, and each other
BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Kawsu Leigh writhed in pain on the fishing boat, his burned skin as mottled as the paint on the deck beneath him. Raw and slick…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
