Yemen's Vanishing Sardines: Illegal Fishmeal Factories and the Collapse of Coastal Livelihoods

This reporting project investigates the escalating crisis of sardine depletion along Yemen’s coastline, a phenomenon deeply linked to illegal fishmeal factories and chaotic governance amid prolonged conflict. For over a decade, Yemen’s war has destabilized institutions, creating a vacuum exploited by powerful interests that undermine coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

Through firsthand testimonies from fishermen, local officials, and environmental experts, the investigation uncovers the harmful practices behind unregulated fish harvesting and unlicensed processing facilities. The focus is on how these activities contribute to environmental degradation and jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the sea for survival.

By shining a light on the complex interplay of war, weak governance, and economic desperation, the project aims to engage international audiences and policymakers. It calls attention to an urgent humanitarian and ecological crisis.