You're stealing our fish! - well, not you guys personally.

From Cape Verde to Cornwall – Invitation to meet with small-scale West African fishermen.

Small-boat fishermen of Cape Verde, Mauritania and Senegal may be financially wiped out if bulk fishing off their shores by European factory boats continues.

A small delegation of three artisanal fishermen from Cape Verde, Senegal and Mauritania will visit the UK next week as part of the European-wide African Voices Tour, organised by Greenpeace, creating a platform for artisanal fishermen to share their own experiences of the effects of large industrial European vessels operating in their waters.

Under the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), such fishing is currently allowed, the African fishermen will explain. The tour will enable the fishermen to tell their story to policy makers, the fishing industry, NGOs and the general public within the crucial context of the reform of the CFP currently under way.


West African inshore fishermen are very interested in meeting with fellow small-scale fishermen in the UK and so will be spending an informal and relaxed day in Newlyn on 20 May where experiences can be shared and ideas for reform discussed.


You are invited to attend a meeting with the fishermen at the Fishermen’s Mission, Newlyn from 12 – 2 pm on 20th May (note: a change in location from Seafood Cornwall offices advertised previously), for a discussion on the issues facing small-scale fishermen in West Africa and the UK.


Despite the geographical distance, there is considerable alignment between small scale fishermen in the UK and in West Africa. Both sectors face similar challenges and problems under the CFP, particularly in respect of competition from large scale industrial fleets. The fishermen will discuss exactly how these vessels threaten their livelihoods and communities.


This is an opportunity for a show of solidarity between fishermen from very different worlds, united to achieve a more sustainable future for small-scale fishing and fishing communities.


We hope to see you there.