Fishmeal and fish oil production in West Africa destroys the region’s resources to the benefit of foreign countries

In West Africa, there is an increased pressure on small pelagic stocks, including the over-exploited sardinella, due to the expansion of the fishmeal and fishoil industry across the region. To get one kilo of fishmeal, more than 5 kgs of small pelagics are needed. The FAO report explains that recently the catches for human consumption have drastically decreased, 'the industry has been competing with women processors' for access to fish and 'fish has become extremely rare and expensive in local markets.'