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Fish scarcity, tar balls, and stranded dolphins: The hidden costs of offshore platforms in Cameroon waters

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 27/10/2026, 09:00:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 report by Leocadia Bongben documents how offshore oil platforms in Cameroon's Kribi region have displaced fish stocks, forcing families to rely on expensive frozen fish and crabs. The article highlights specific impacts including a 10-fold price increase for fish, the presence of tar balls and oil on nets, and the displacement of dolphins and whales. Key figures include 50-year-old Laure Ndingue, who has fished for over a decade, and 35-year-old Dede Sluk, who lives in Grand-Batanga 2. The study notes that while Perenco denies issues at their sites, local fishermen report oil on nets and reduced fish availability, linking these to the presence of the Ebome Marine Terminal and other platforms.

Key points

• Fish prices in Grand-Batanga 2 rose from FCFA 500/kg to FCFA 5000/kg between 2023 and 2026 due to offshore platform occupation.
• Tar balls and oil residues were found on nets in Ebodje village, 50 km from Kribi, despite security forces patrolling the area.

Context

The story examines the economic and ecological costs of offshore oil and gas exploitation in Cameroon, specifically focusing on the Kribi region where platforms like the Ebome Marine Terminal and Sanaga 2 have been operational since 2003. It contrasts historical fishing practices with current scarcity, noting that fish stocks have declined significantly since the 1990s.

Limitations

Some fishermen deny direct links between platforms and oil on nets, attributing it to external tanker discharges. Specific locations like Ebodje are 50 km from platforms, and some platforms like Hilli Episeyo departed in July 2026, limiting the temporal scope of current impacts.

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