TED - How Industrial Fishing Sinks Communities | Lamin Jassey | TED
Lamin Jassey, a community leader and environmental activist from Gunjur, Gambia, highlights the detrimental effects of a fish meal factory established in 2016. Initially believed to bring economic benefits, the factory instead led to a significant decline in fish supply, affecting local livelihoods. The factory's promises of job creation and infrastructure development were unfulfilled, leading to distrust. The factory's operations have caused environmental damage, including waste disposal into the ocean, which Jassey and others protested against, resulting in legal action. The factory's demand for small pelagic fish, a staple for locals, has driven up prices and forced dietary changes, impacting health. Additionally, a fishing agreement with the EU and China has exacerbated fish scarcity. Jassey emphasizes the need for regional cooperation to protect marine resources and restore fish populations, working with international organizations to empower local communities and influence policy.
Key Points:
- Fish meal factory in Gunjur led to fish scarcity and economic decline.
- Unfulfilled promises by the factory caused community distrust.
- Environmental damage from factory waste disposal prompted protests.
- EU and China fishing agreements worsened fish scarcity.
- Regional cooperation is needed to protect marine resources.
Details:
1. 🐟 Introduction to Lamin and Gunjur
1.1. Gunjur: The Fishing Village
1.2. Lamin Jassey: Community Leader and Activist
2. 🏭 The Arrival of the Fish Meal Factory
- In 2016, a fish meal factory began operations at Gunjur fish landing site, initially expected to improve local livelihoods by creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
- Within one year, there was a noticeable decline in fish supply, indicating negative effects on local resources and raising concerns among fishermen and the community.
- The factory's operations have led to overfishing, resulting in a significant reduction of available fish stock for local consumption and trade.
- Local fishermen reported a 30% decrease in their daily catch, impacting their income and ability to sustain their families.
- Environmental concerns have also emerged, with pollution from the factory affecting marine ecosystems and beach cleanliness, further threatening both the fishing industry and tourism.
- The intended benefits of economic growth and job creation have been overshadowed by these negative impacts, leading to community protests and demands for regulatory intervention.
- Efforts to address these issues include calls for sustainable fishing practices and stricter environmental regulations to balance economic and environmental needs.
3. 🔍 Investigating Consequences of the Factory
3.1. Unfulfilled Promises and Their Impact
3.2. Broader Economic and Social Impacts
4. ⚖️ Dependence on Pelagic Fish
4.1. Nutritional Importance of Pelagic Fish
4.2. Economic Impact and Sustainability
5. 🌊 Impact on Community and Youth
5.1. Economic Impact on Community
5.2. Social Challenges and Youth Impact
6. 🚨 Environmental Activism and Legal Challenges
- In 2018, activists discovered that a fish meal factory at Gunjur fish landing site was polluting the ocean by disposing of industrial waste, affecting the local marine environment.
- The activists issued a one-week ultimatum to the factory to remove waste pipes, promising public intervention if the demand was ignored.
- When the factory failed to act, activists led a mass protest to remove the pipes, resulting in the arrest of five participants.
- These activists faced legal proceedings for six months before being acquitted and discharged, highlighting the legal risks and resilience associated with direct environmental activism.
- The incident underscores the tensions between industrial operations and environmental protection, emphasizing the role of community-led actions in enforcing environmental accountability.
7. 🤝 Educating and Advocating for Change
- Comprehensive education programs have been launched for fishermen, women processors, and young people to understand the impact of fish meal factories on local resources.
- Strategic engagement with government officials is underway to influence policies that negatively affect the local fishing industry.
- A six-year fishing agreement with the European Union has allowed larger EU and Chinese vessels into local waters, significantly reducing local fish availability and impacting traditional fishing practices.
- As a result of decreased fish availability, there has been a shift towards consuming imported chicken, which is more affordable but leads to health issues due to its lower nutritional value compared to local fish.
- This dietary shift poses long-term health risks, especially given Gambia's already fragile healthcare system.
- Advocacy efforts focus on preserving local animal protein sources to mitigate nutritional risks and ensure food security.
8. 🌐 International Trade and Local Depletion
- Most fishermen in the region are catching juvenile fish not fit for human consumption, leading to significant local depletion.
- Despite regulations prohibiting the capture of juvenile fish, ineffective enforcement allows the practice to persist, exacerbating ecological and economic issues.
- These caught juvenile fish are processed into fish meal, diverting resources away from local food supplies.
- The fish meal is exported to markets in China, Europe, and South America, primarily for use in aquaculture farms for salmon and other species, impacting local economies negatively.
9. 🌍 Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Fishing
- The organization is collaborating with international entities to enhance the skills of women processors and artisanal fishermen, focusing on data collection at Gunjur, Kartong, and Sanyang fish landing sites.
- The goal is to collect data to inform decision-makers and shape the future, aiming to restore fish populations not only for the Gambia but for the entire region, including Senegal and Mauritania.
- The project emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration to protect water and fish resources, highlighting that such efforts cannot be done in isolation.