"Gambian villagers are being priced out of fish", Dialogue Earth, 3 October 2025

[...] locals blame the emergence of the fishmeal industry, which scoops up most of the fish that historically fed local communities. Much of this fishmeal is exported to Asia and Europe, where it is fed to farm animals and salmon in fish farms.

“Fish is very expensive now. Before, I could have four or five sardinella and bonga for GMD 10-15 [USD 0.14-0.20], but now, I must spend more than GMD 50 on that,” [...].

[...] plants in The Gambia now have contracts with fishing vessels that target small pelagic fish (such as bonga, sardinella and snapper), historically destined for markets that feed local people.

The Gambia is home to three operational plants, all located on its short Atlantic coast: Golden Lead in Gunjur, Nessim in Sanyang and JXJG in Kartong. [...].

Golden Lead factory management could not be reached for comment on these issues. The Nessim factory in Sanyang confirmed it makes contracts with boats (fishers), while JXJG is not using them at present.

In 2020, a community group checked the health of 485 people in Gunjur. [...] 26% of those tested were found to be hypertensive, diabetic, or both. [...] puts much of this ill health down to dietary changes driven by the high price of fish. [...] low quality poultry products may be contaminated with campylobacter and salmonella, both significant food safety hazards.