A ‘sea war’ brews off Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign vessels, and each other

BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — A “sea war” is brewing off the West African nation of Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign commercial fishing vessels, and each other. The fight is driven by market forces and foreign seafood appetites that are far beyond their control. The Associated Press exclusively obtained video of one attack that documents the emerging problem in the fight for dominance. The fighting threatens to tear fishing communities apart, while overfishing undermines livelihoods for everyone. There are concerns that the fish population off Gambia could collapse in the coming years. That would be a business and environmental disaster in the small nation.

Watch the video here.

By Grace Ekpu, Associated Press

Banner image: Artisanal fishermen cast their nets in the waters off the coast of Gambia, on March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu)

BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — A “sea war” is brewing off the West African nation of Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign commercial fishing vessels, and each other. The fight is driven by market forces and foreign seafood appetites that are far beyond their control. The Associated Press exclusively obtained video of one attack that documents the emerging problem in the fight for dominance. The fighting threatens to tear fishing communities apart, while overfishing undermines livelihoods for everyone. There are concerns that the fish population off Gambia could collapse in the coming years. That would be a business and environmental disaster in the small nation.

Watch the video here.

By Grace Ekpu, Associated Press

Banner image: Artisanal fishermen cast their nets in the waters off the coast of Gambia, on March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu)