World Fisheries Day draws attention to rampant illegal fishing activities and the global decline in fish stocks, which are threatening marine ecosystems. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is on the rise, putting the health of our oceans, food security, and Africa’s coastal economies at serious risk.
New data from the WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI) shows that South Africans are consuming more seafood than ever, with annual consumption rising from an estimated 325 000 tonnes in 2022 to 350 000 tonnes in 2024. The number of South Africans who eat seafood has also grown significantly, from 13.9 million in 2022 to 16.7 million in 2025.
Fish remains a critical source of affordable protein for millions of people. However, as demand increases and fish stocks decline, illegal fishing is becoming more attractive to some operators. The FAO estimates that IUU fishing accounts on average for about 20% (or 1 in 5) of the world’s catch. In parts of Africa, particularly West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, this figure can reach 30 to 40% and costs the continent more than 9 billion dollars each year.
IUU fishing includes a wide variety of fishing activities:
- Illegal fishing happens without permission, violating national and international laws.
- Unreported fishing evades monitoring systems, hiding critical data needed for sustainable practices.
- Unregulated fishing occurs in areas without proper oversight, often involving vessels with no accountability.
These activities deprive African nations of revenue from taxes and licensing fees and continue to place fragile ocean ecosystems at risk. Small-scale fishers who depend on healthy fish stocks for their livelihoods are among the most affected. When illegal fishing and overexploitation reduce fish availability, local communities face heightened food insecurity.
Overfishing affects more than human livelihoods. In 2024, African penguins were officially classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN’s Red List, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The primary threat to African penguins is declining food availability due to overfishing. In March 2025, the High Court of South Africa ruled in favour of stronger protections, ordering a 10-year fishing ban around six penguin breeding colonies near Cape Town. These fishing closures will allow sardine and anchovy stocks to recover and improve food access for penguins.
Knowing where seafood comes from, how it was caught, and what fish species are sustainable, can help consumers make informed choices that support healthier oceans and mitigate illegal fishing. Recent data shows growing awareness among South African consumers about sustainable seafood, increasing from 47% of consumers caring about sustainable seafood in 2022 to 52% in 2025. Retailers also play a critical role in guiding consumers by offering clear information at points of sale and ensuring that the seafood they sell is responsibly sourced.
Peter Knights OBE, Wild Africa CEO says, “World Fisheries Day highlights the collective responsibility shared across the seafood supply chain. By working together, we can protect our oceanic ecosystems and ensure Africa’s coastal communities thrive for years to come. Because protecting nature protects us all.”
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Author: Leozette Roode from Wild Africa on behalf of Wild Africa.
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