The rapid growth of fishmeal processing in West Africa, driven by global demand, has sparked protests, and raised pressing concerns among coastal communities, particularly in The Gambia. Despite being touted as sources of foreign investment, these factories disproportionately burden vulnerable populations with environmental degradation, food insecurity, and health risks.
While technological innovation is paramount, environmental sociological scholarship on marine food systems and development usually stresses that hunger and unsustainable environmental impacts are political problems exacerbated by rigid and complex social structures. The capacity of aquaculture to ameliorate problems therefore requires careful consideration. What lessons does environmental sociology offer to understand aquaculture’s potential to address these issues, in sustainable fashion?
