A Key Food Source Collapsed Off West Africa’s Coast as Chinese Ships Ground the Species Into Fishmeal

A key food source collapsed off the coast of West Africa as Chinese ships ground the species into fishmeal, according to an internal fisheries assessment obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The sardinella, a small and silvery fish prized for its high-quality protein, has been decimated in Guinea-Bissau’s coastal waters, leading to a sharp decline in catches and affecting local fishermen. The assessment, conducted in 2025 by the Atlantic branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), in collaboration with scientists from Guinea-Bissau’s oceanographic institute, noted the dramatic drop in sardinella populations. While the study did not specify the exact causes of the decline, a government official pointed to the rapid expansion of the local fishmeal industry as a primary factor. This industry involves grinding large quantities of sardinella and other fish into a nutrient-rich powder used to feed livestock globally. Two offshore cargo ships, owned by Chinese companies, have played a central role in this process. The Tian Yi He 6 and Hua Xin 17, both equipped with onboard processing facilities, arrived in Guinea-Bissau in 2019 and 2024 respectively. These vessels have operated in the region since their arrival, contributing significantly to the fishmeal production. According to export data verified by reporters and reviewed by a marine biologist, the operation of these ships correlates directly with the collapse of the sardinella population. In response to the findings, Guinea-Bissau imposed a blanket ban on fishmeal production in January 2026. The move was described by Amadú Djaló, director of industrial fishing at the country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, as necessary to protect fish intended for human consumption, particularly among the disadvantaged population. The ban effectively halted the activities of the Chinese factory ships and forced them to seek new locations for their operations. Following the imposition of the ban, the Chinese factory ships and a fleet of Turkish fishing vessels that had previously supplied them with fish relocated southward to Sierra Leone. Marine traffic data indicates that this movement occurred in May and June 2026, coinciding with the continued pressures on Sierra Leone’s fish stocks. Despite efforts to contact the owners and operators of the vessels for comment, none responded to allegations that their operations contributed to the decimation of the sardinella stock. One shareholder of the company owning the Hua Xin 17, who also operates another factory vessel, stated that he had previously been involved in the business but recently severed ties with his former partners and declined to offer further remarks. On the muddy shores of Bubaque Island, where the population stands at 4,000, fishermen continue their daily routines, though the landscape has changed. On a recent afternoon, as the sun dipped below the horizon, fishermen transferred their catch from the ice-filled floors of their motorized canoes into buckets destined for the market. The majority of the catch consisted of bonga, a herring-like fish measuring approximately 25 centimeters when mature. However, the average catch size has notably decreased compared to previous years. Tejan Joof, who supervises a seven-member crew, reported that the traditional practice of returning from the sea within a day or two with a full catch has become increasingly difficult. Now, fishermen often spend four or five days at sea, sometimes without achieving the desired results. Joof lamented that the once-abundant sardinella, known locally as “yaiboi,” has become “too rare.” This shift underscores the broader impact of the fishmeal industry on local ecosystems and livelihoods.