Party to the plunder: Fishmeal industries and depleting fisheries in Africa

In this episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we explore the theme, “Party to the Plunder: Fishmeal Industries and Depleting Fisheries in Africa,” with Viviane Koutob, Programme Lead for West and Central Africa at Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT).Together, we examine the expansion of fishmeal and fish oil industries across Africa and their implications for fisheries sustainability, food security, and coastal livelihoods. The conversation explores how these industries contribute to the depletion of small pelagic fish stocks, the governance challenges surrounding their operations, and what African governments, industry actors, and other stakeholders can do differently to promote more sustainable and equitable fisheries management.A special thank you to Viviane Koutob for sharing her time, expertise, and valuable insights on this critical issue affecting communities across the continent.Listeners interested in learning more about the wider implications of the fishmeal and fish oil trade may find this Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets research useful: “Feeding a Monster: How European aquaculture and animal feed industries are stealing food from West African communities.” The report examines links between the fishmeal industry, food security, and livelihoods in West Africa.https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/13778/major-european-companies-linked-to-food-insecurity-in-west-africa/Tune in for an important conversation on accountability, sustainability, and the future of Africa’s fisheries.