Shady fishing fleets inflict heavy economic toll on developing coastal nations

A recent report has quantified the substantial economic damage caused by fishing fleets with a history of wrongdoing in five vulnerable countries: Ecuador, Ghana, Peru, the Philippines, and Senegal. The fleets' activities could cost the nations a combined 0.26% of their GDP, leave over 30,000 people jobless, and push around 142,000 deeper into poverty. The report emphasises the need for improved transparency, stricter legislation, and international cooperation to combat unsustainable practices of illegal fishing and overfishing by distant-water fleets. Addressing these issues is crucial for protecting the livelihoods and welfare of coastal communities in developing countries. (Mongabay)