Fish Mongers in Sinoe County Face Severe Fish Shortages Amid Climate Change, Pollution Concerns

GREENVILLE, Sinoe County – Fishmongers in Sinoe County are sounding the alarm about a significant shortage of fish, which they attribute to the combined impacts of climate change, water pollution, and the destruction of mangrove forests in the region.

In interviews conducted at Downtown Fish Point in Greenville, fishmongers expressed their frustration, stating that in recent weeks, they have been struggling to secure adequate supplies of fish due to reduced catches by local fishermen.

Grace and Ma Patience, two prominent fish marketers in the area, separately identified climate change as a major contributing factor to the shortage. They cited the adverse effects of pollution on local water bodies and the wanton cutting down of mangrove trees as key factors hindering the growth of fish populations in both rivers and ocean environments.

They called on those responsible for mangrove destruction and ocean pollution, urging them to cease these harmful practices that are negatively impacting the livelihoods of those who rely solely on fish selling for survival.

Meanwhile, Grace and Patience have called upon the law enforcement officials of the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to be more proactive in executing their duties, with the aim of reducing pollution levels in the ocean and safeguarding the environment.

Small-scale fisheries in Liberia hold a critical role in ensuring food security and bolstering the national economy. They provide a vital and affordable source of protein for the population, particularly for disadvantaged communities along Liberia’s extensive 570 km coastline. Sinoe County, situated along the coast, heavily relies on fishing as a primary source of income for a substantial portion of its population.

While fish shortages in Liberia’s waters have not been officially confirmed by authorities, studies indicate that rapid increases in temperature and ocean acidification can lead to the loss of marine habitats and species. Shifting ocean currents and rising water temperatures are also altering the distribution of fish stocks and causing significant changes in marine ecosystems. These developments are causing growing concerns among local fishmongers and communities dependent on fishing for their livelihoods.

By Darious Dapae