Global Organized Crime Index links Chinese trawlers to depletion of Ghana’s fish stocks

According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Chinese long-distance trawlers are the main perpetrators of illegal fishing, which has severely depleted Ghana's fish stocks. The report emphasizes that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing poses a significant threat to the country's marine resources. It states that Chinese long-distance trawler vessels are primarily responsible for the depletion of Ghana's fish stocks in Ghanaian waters.

The report also sheds light on the involvement of private sector entities in organized crime. It reveals that front companies owned by Ghanaians enable foreign industrial vessels to evade fishing restrictions by sailing under the Ghanaian flag. These front companies play a crucial role in circumventing regulations.

Furthermore, the report suggests that Chinese criminal actors exploit their connections within the state to bypass certification requirements for various activities, including fishing, logging, and others. However, the report does not provide specific details such as individual vessel or company names, the extent of the decline in fish stocks, or any responses from the operators involved.