African fishermen accuse Chinese trawlers of illegal fishing off Sierra Leone

Fishermen on Sierra Leone's Sherbro Island say large foreign vessels, predominantly Chinese, are poaching in coastal waters and destroying their nets.

• Local fishermen reported that international trawlers illegally enter the seven-mile exclusion zone and cut their nets, costing up to $250 per replacement.
• Thomas Turay, president of Sierra Leone's Fishermen's Union, stated that average catches have fallen 40% and accused trawlers of violating the exclusion zone.
• Sheku Sei, director at the Fisheries Ministry, denied the allegations, claiming that transponders and government inspectors have reduced illegal fishing.
• The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the accusations, stating that China enforces regulations for its distant-water fleet and cooperates with partner nations.