The vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean off West Africa, from Guinea Bissau to Mauritania, witnesses the routine presence of the colossal fishing vessel Pilot Whale, spanning 96 meters, nearly the length of a standard 100-meter track. This ship, crucial to the artisanal fishers in the region, is emblemized by the vibrant green, red, and yellow of Cameroon's flag.
Yet, an investigation1 has exposed a concerning reality: the Pilot Whale, also known as Mikhail Verbitskiy, is one among many vessels operated by European companies, exploiting the concept of a “flag of convenience” to engage in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
In 2020, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) designated Cameroon's flag as a “flag of convenience,” a label exploited by unscrupulous operators to evade accountability for illegal fishing and other crimes through deceptive vessel registrations.
EJF's findings disclosed that over half (55%) of Cameroon's fleet was added in the last five years, comprising 90% of the fleet's total tonnage. Notably, 94% of these newcomers were under foreign ownership and operated outside Cameroon's waters.
In response, the European Commission (EC) issued a “Red Card” to Cameroon in January 2023, citing “weak flag state control” contributing to illegal fishing practices. The Red Card prohibited EU Member States from importing fishery products from Cameroon.
Surprisingly, the investigation revealed twelve vessels, linked to EU-owned companies, continuing to fly Cameroon's flag. Trade data indicated that nearly €10 million worth of fish entered the EU from Cameroon between January and September 2023, despite the ban.
Beatrice Gorez, Coordinator for the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, urged the EC to target European-based companies involved in IUU fishing, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive measures.
European Companies Exploiting Cameroon's Flag: Unmasking Ocean Whale and Others
Ocean Whale Fishing Company, founded in 2016, emerged as a shadowy player operating five fishing vessels across Africa, including the Pilot Whale. The company, officially registered in Malta, exhibits a stark contrast between its registration and extensive activities.
Ocean Whale's vessels, including the Pilot Whale, exploit the Cameroonian flag despite operating far beyond Cameroon's waters. The investigation exposed Ocean Whale's predatory fishing practices, endangering West Africa's small pelagic fish stocks, especially Sardinella, a crucial resource for local communities.
AIS data revealed Ocean Whale's predatory fishing practices within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Namibia. Fisheries expert Beatrice Gorez emphasized the exploitation of the Cameroonian flag, allowing operators to evade scrutiny and exploit regulatory gaps.
Further investigations identified seven more vessels, including those owned by the Latvian company BALTREIDS, also exploiting Cameroon's flag while operating outside its territorial waters. The vessels, like Ocean Whale's, engaged in unsustainable fishing practices, risking the collapse of the marine ecosystem.
EU Policies, Import Paradox, and Voices of Struggle
The EU's Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) with African countries, including Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau, set out fish access limits for EU vessels, subject to stringent regulations. However, Cameroon-flagged trawlers can exceed EU-imposed limits without required offloading.
The investigation revealed a paradox in the EC's import policies, with nearly €10 million worth of fish entering the EU from Cameroon between January and September 2023, despite the Red Card ban. The EC invoked IUU Regulation Article 17 but failed to substantiate the contested figure.
The plight of local communities, particularly artisanal fishers and processors, was highlighted, with their traditional way of life under threat from industrial fishing. IUU fishing practices have led to declining fish stocks, impacting local livelihoods and food security.
The investigation calls for immediate and decisive action, including the creation of a European register of beneficial owners for fishing companies, increased transparency efforts, and enhanced regulatory measures to counter IUU fishing.
As local voices cry out for their fish and a sustainable future, the urgency to protect West Africa's fragile marine ecosystem becomes paramount. The investigation aims to shed light on the IUU fishing operations exploiting Cameroon's flag and the broader implications for the region's environment and communities.
- Report by Gideon Sarpong, Pulitzer Ocean Reporting Fellow. ↩︎