Fishermen, trawlers and new local committees in Douala-Edea ^{CEFR A2}

Douala-Edea National Park covers land and sea on Cameroon's coast. Local communities in Mbiako, Yoyo I and Yoyo II say industrial trawlers called "Sapak" use illegal methods. They use chemicals like gamaline 20, oversized dense nets and very small mesh.

These fishing methods harm mangroves, catch juvenile fish and reduce future fish stocks. Fishermen describe violent encounters: trawlers cut nets, sometimes shoot, and three fishermen were shot last year. People reported incidents to the Ministry through an official called "Doctor Fish" and to the regional office in Douala. In 2023 the European Commission issued a red card under the EU IUU Regulation, blocking Cameroonian fisheries products from the EU.