---
title: "Murky Waters: Inside Congo’s Shark Trade (Video)"
description: "Artisanal shark fishing by migrant fishers using “Popo” boats (large motorised boats) has been an important fishery in the coastal port of Pointe-Noire since the early 1980s, driven by extensive demand from East and Southeast Asia for fins. TRAFFIC has released a detailed report and a documentary about the trade in shark meat and fins in the Republic of Congo. It explores the threats of over-exploitation and illegal fishing and the local livelihoods put at risk by illegal commercial fishing by Chinese trawlers. The story is told from a rare perspective with access to shark fishers and traders. The filmmakers, Chris Clark and Shaun Swingler, are both from Cape Town."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "TRAFFIC"
author: "Chris Clark and Shaun Swingler for TRAFFIC"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/chris-clark-and-shaun-swingler-for-traffic/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-19-murky-waters-inside-congos-shark-trade-video/"
published: "2020-08-19T01:00:20"
updated: "2020-08-19T01:47:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 27
---

# Murky Waters: Inside Congo’s Shark Trade (Video)

> Artisanal shark fishing by migrant fishers using “Popo” boats (large motorised boats) has been an important fishery in the coastal port of Pointe-Noire since the early 1980s, driven by extensive demand from East and Southeast Asia for fins. TRAFFIC has released a detailed report and a documentary about the trade in shark meat and fins in the Republic of Congo. It explores the threats of over-exploitation and illegal fishing and the local livelihoods put at risk by illegal commercial fishing by Chinese trawlers. The story is told from a rare perspective with access to shark fishers and traders. The filmmakers, Chris Clark and Shaun Swingler, are both from Cape Town.

By Chris Clark and Shaun Swingler for TRAFFIC · Published 19 August 2020, 03:00 SAST · Updated 19 August 2020, 03:47 SAST

## Content

*See the detailed report*[*here*](https://www.traffic.org/publications/reports/artisanal-shark-trade-in-the-republic-of-the-congo/)

View the documentary film, **Murky Waters: Inside Congo’s Shark Trade** here:

[Vimeo video](https://player.vimeo.com/video/446429619)

TRAFFIC is a non-government global conservation and sustainable development organisation. **DM**