Emptying MFA 34 - The European fishing fleet and its impact on West African fish consumption

Abstract: Fish, seafood and fishery products are important sources of animal protein for people living in coastal states of Western Africa. High levels of activity in the West African water puts heavy pressure on fish stocks that are already on their way to being overexploited. This paper investigates the impact European fishing fleets operating in West African coastal waters has on fish consumption in the region. It also examines how fishing cooperation agreements between the EU and the coastal states are designed and whether or not the compensations paid by the EU actually benefit the West African populations.