Guinea-Bissau: Illegal Fishmeal Factories Drain Vital Waters

A significant illegal fishmeal and oil operation is occurring off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, with thousands of tonnes of fish being processed by floating factory ships within the protected Bijagós archipelago. Vessels such as the Hua Xin 17 and Tian Yi He 6, disguised as cargo ships, are anchored offshore, illicitly processing sardinella. Turkish seiners are reportedly supplying these factories, often disabling their tracking systems to hide illegal fishing within the marine protected area. This practice poses a severe threat to the region's biodiversity and the food security of local communities, which heavily rely on fish for protein. One local sailor reported harsh working conditions on the Hua Xin 17.

The expanded operations at sea in Guinea-Bissau follow similar attempts by neighboring countries to curb land-based fishmeal production. This offshore processing contributes to overfishing, exacerbating food insecurity in a nation where 22% of the population is malnourished. Trade data shows fishmeal from these operations entering international supply chains, reaching companies in South America involved in animal feed production. The government of Guinea-Bissau, following a recent coup, announced a sweeping ban on fishmeal and oil production and suspended purse-seine fishing licenses in January 2026, a move praised by international organizations but facing enforcement challenges due to limited capacity at sea.