According to the Mauritanian government, this action was meant to address the unemployment issue, and to place the nation fish wealth in the hands of local companies, to break the monopoly of foreign ships and barges.

Locals say Nouadhibou beach as a location, was not a good choice from an environmental point of view. The city, which used to be a holiday destination for people in summer and autumn, is now facing major environmental problems.

Since the beginning of operation five years ago, Nouadhibou’s charm and fresh air have deteriorated. In response, many locals, who suffer the fumes and odours of these plants, became vocal through activists’ media campaigns.

Part of their campaigns to monitor the city's environment, head of the “Family Development and Environmental Preservation” organization, Sayed Mohammad Weld Mohammad AlShekh, alongside other local activists, have found that these factories are a great danger to the local environment.

Sayed says the danger manifests in two ways; harmful waste, dumped directly into the sea, turning beaches into pools foul smelling stagnant water.

The other way, according to Sayed, is factories fumes which pollute the air in the city and nearby areas. Locals, who suffer the consequences, have requested authorities to restrict these factories’ activities.

Sayed says “these restrictions were not sufficient; all the plants operate simultaneously, and they have become a serious hazard to people’s heath.”

After an epidemic of chronic illnesses, many complaints from the locals, and some further inspection, authorities had to shut down many factories.

Whistleblowing

Ear, throat and allergies specialist, Doctor Almokhtar Weld Amah, believes that pollution has led to the spread of many illnesses, such as allergies, asthma and other breathing disorders, especially among children and people with chronic diseases.

Doctor Almokhtar warns that things might get worse. The city’s air is suffocating with toxic fumes. Hospitals are unable to accommodate the massive number of allergies patients, and people suffering from heart burn and mouth and pharynx burn. These symptoms could develop into chronic diseases, and even cause death.

Public outrage

With the deteriorating environmental situation and the emission of fish odours, people began to organise protests, mainly in Kanasado neighbourhood. The government had to shut down a few factories, but that was not enough.

Mohammed Weld Saleh, who suffers breathing difficulties and allergies, told Dune Voices that having the industrial area right next to the residential area is “a crime against the people”. He called authorities to relocate the plants, away from the city, which has lost its main features, as a holiday destination.

Almokhtar Weld Salem, a lawyer at the Mauritanian courthouses, says it is possible to sue these companies immediately, because of its impact on the health of the city and its visitors.

Weld Salem says “it is possible to prosecute the main companies, especially if they were foreign companies. According to international law, presence of danger is sufficient as a foundation of a crime.” The lawyer carries on to say that “those who do not see that these plants abide by environmental laws and regulations can also be sued.”