Locals sell their catch at the fish market.
The fish trade, which many depend on in West Africa, is declining rapidly as fish stocks fall. This is happening due to pirate fishing by large, industrial vessels which are preying on fish in surrounding waters. Most fishers in this region work in small scale operations, with small boats and often hand nets. It is hard for these fishermen to compete with such large scale operations which dominate their local oceans. The competition means less fish and less money for the people of West Africa. It is estimated that this cash and food starved nation is losing US$100 million each year in stolen fish.