Foreign trawlers and Fishmeal Plants are increasingly threatening the livelihood of small-scale Mauritanian & Senegalese Fishermen. The reason – the rise in aquaculture (fish farming to give it its more common name) and in particular the insatiable demand for fishmeal as animal food from China. The humble Sardinella (sardines) – is a staple food and the largest source of protein for the poorer people in these countries, but a combination of growing demand for animal protein in China and local corruption is leading to fears that the once plentiful stocks could be eradicated within a decade leaving millions hungry.
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Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food sectors, however, it is almost totally dependent on fish meal as a feedstuff, and it is rather inefficient. It takes 5kg of Sardinella to make 1kg of meal and this, in turn, is horribly inefficient with a protein utilisation ratio of below 5-1 meaning 500 calories of fish meal will eventually produce 100 calories of farmed fish on a dinner plate.
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Although opinions differ local fishermen and some scientists fear for the Sardunella’s future as global warming and massive continued investment in processing plants begins to take its toll. Landed catches are increasing exponentially and millions of dollars are being invested in additional processing plants. This has all the hallmarks of a slash and burn policy and although stocks appear endless, one only has to look back at the fate of the Passenger Pigeon (once possibly the commonest bird in North America) to see how quickly a species can become extinct when exploited.
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BBC News – Africa
