Illegal fishing costs African countries over US$1 billion a year

Fisheries experts say that Africa’s problems with overfishing and illegal fishing are costing African countries over US$1 billion a year and that those worst impacted by illicit activities were local small-scale fishermen. Speaking at an Environmental Justice Foundation event in London last week, the International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, said that fish stocks would be devastated within years if illegal fishing continued at the current rate.