In 2016, Sea Shepherd partnered with the government of Gabon to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in their coastal waters. São Tomé and Principe soon joined the campaign, resulting in the arrest of five ships operating illegally in the Gulf of Guinea. Sea Shepherd continued the campaign protecting their coastal waters in 2017, 2018, 2019 and in 2020 with the arrest of two trawlers with over a ton of rays and fins in their hold. In 2021, Sea Shepherd is back to resume patrols with Gabonese authorities of Africa's largest marine protected area.