馃嚞馃嚘GabonCentral Africa
Gabon faces sardine shortage as catches are exported to neighboring countries
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabon is experiencing a significant shortage of sardines in its local markets, despite substantial quantities of the popular fish being exported to neighboring countries. On May 30, the Governor of Estuaire, Marie Fran莽oise Dikoumba, visited Cocobeach, a key transit point on the border with Equatorial Guinea. She reminded fishermen and fishmongers about a temporary export ban on sardines, which has been in effect since March 2026. This measure aims to address the scarcity of sardines and ensure adequate supply for Gabonese households. The Governor, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries, emphasized the importance of sardines as an affordable and quality local fish. Cocobeach's role as a strategic cross-border trade hub is contributing to the local market's sardine shortage, with the Governor noting that nearly all catches are immediately exported. Fishermen explained that the rapid export is a matter of economic survival due to a lack of proper storage facilities and frequent power outages, which prevent them from preserving their catches for long periods. Authorities stressed the importance of adhering to regulations and ensuring that all actors in the sector are legally registered within the national territory. Beyond the temporary export ban, the government plans to better organize the fishing sector by establishing fixed locations for fishermen and fishmongers in the area. This initiative seeks to strengthen control over commercial distribution channel
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
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