Sierra Leoneans who live off the sea don’t trust farmed fish – but wild fish are in decline

Wild fish sustain life in Sierra Leone’s fishing towns, but declining stocks mean fish farming is needed. However, fishing communities distrust farmed fish.

By: Nwamaka Okeke-Ogbuafor, University of Glasgow and Salieu Kabba Sankoh, University of Sierra Leone, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 5, 2026

Words: 1,287

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Nwamaka Okeke-Ogbuafor, University of Glasgow and Salieu Kabba Sankoh, University of Sierra Leone

At dawn in Tombo, one of Sierra Leone’s largest fishing towns, small-scale fishers begin landing fish from the sea. A portion of the catch is sold at the landing sites, while the rest is taken home to feed the family.

Fish here is not simply food, it is part of everyday care and trusted to sustain strength and long life. However, as …

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