Fishmeal and Fishoil Producing Factories in the Ungoverned Spaces of West African Coast: Dynamics, Issues and Instigators

Abstract

A considerable global demand for Fishmeal and Fish oil (FmFo), as an ingredient in livestock and aquaculture feeds, cosmetics and pharmaceutical production, has led to rapid development of FmFo producing factories owned by foreigners from Europe and Asia along the ungoverned shoreline spaces of Africa. There are uncountable vessels most especially in Morocco, Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal marine domains using illegal methods ranging from fish poisoning and dynamite fishing to catch prime fishes and mechanically mash into fishmeal and Fish oil that will be exported abroad for animal consumption and other uses thereby creating food and job insecurity and other dire implications for Africa and her population. The objective of the study is to explicate, situate and contextualize the factors enabling the unhindered exploitation of African fisheries by foreigners. The study also explored the dynamics and trajectories involved in the illegitimate enterprise. The study adopted content analysis of secondary data. Data were sourced from online Journals, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)’s Annual Reports, and Non-governmental organizations’ briefs. The study adopted the Routine Activity theory of crime to substantiate the submissions of discourse in the study. Findings of the study showed that lack of financial, technical and political capability; lack of African states cooperation; dubious concessions are the instigators that midwifed the said phenomenon of the study. Thus, the study recommended that, African states should cooperate more with each other in terms of monitoring and regulating activities in their marine domain.