Fishermen in Sierra Leone say large fishing trawlers they believe are Chinese are illegally taking fish and driving down local catches. According to reports, fishing crews describe heavy industrial fishing activity as “hoovering up” stocks near their waters, leaving smaller boats with fewer fish and worsening livelihoods. The fishermen’s claims center on alleged unauthorized or improper fishing by big vessels, rather than specific documented cases in the reporting summaries provided. The issue is presented as part of wider concerns in the region about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and its impact on coastal communities. While the accounts focus on what local crews observe—such as the size and scale of the vessels and changes in fish availability—the reporting does not provide detailed findings on enforcement actions, inspections, or legal rulings in the information shared here. The reports therefore reflect the fishermen’s allegations and their economic effect, rather than independently verified causes. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over access to fishing grounds and the need for monitoring and enforcement in West African waters.