Ruptly
"The fishing community around Moanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Franco-British oil company Perenco of causing chronic pollution through its operations, threatening the Atlantic ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishers. "Sometimes we see oily pollution on the water, and in some areas, when we are out at sea, we have to hold our breath to avoid inhaling fumes that could damage our lungs," said one of the fishers, Baudouin Mulumba. Footage filmed on Wednesday shows them carrying out their daily work on the Atlantic coast, while oil rigs and tankers can be seen far offshore. Fishing is a key source of income in Moanda, supporting around 31 per cent of coastal households. But fishers say expanding oil operations are hitting their earnings hard. "When oil waste is present in the water, it prevents fish reproduction and growth, which is bad for us who rely on fishing for our livelihood," said another fisher, Laurent Mamba. "We are no longer profitable. For example, the fish I caught today only earned me 3,000 Congolese francs (about 1,29 USD), while I am a father and grandfather, and I have to feed and educate my children... That's insufficient," Mulumba said, adding, "There's no help from Perenco to compensate us." In response to the situation, local fishers plan to file an appeal for the development of the region. Residents and NGOs, including Sherpa, Friends of the Earth France and RENAD, say the coast of Kongo Central is facing a chronic ecological crisis linked to oil activity. A 2013 Congolese Senate inquiry found respiratory illnesses in local clinics had doubled after Perenco began operating in the area in 2001. Pressure on the company has been growing. In January 2025, the DRC Ministry of Hydrocarbons commissioned two independent audits into Perenco's operations in Moanda, one examining reported oil output and another focusing on pollution. The environmental review, being carried out by Environmental Resources Management, is expected to conclude in 2026 and could help determine whether the company's operating licences are renewed. Perenco is also facing a landmark case in Paris over alleged environmental damage in the DRC, the first time a French company has been challenged in court over environmental harm occurring entirely abroad. The case has now entered the merits phase, with campaigners seeking clean-up measures and safeguards against future spills. A 2024 investigation found Perenco Group responsible for 66 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from gas flaring in Africa between 2012 and 2022. Perenco denies the allegations, saying any oil spills are limited and localised in scope."
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