Missing Fisheries Observer’s Family Still Awaits Answers After 2 Years

Two years have passed since Samuel Abayateye, a Ghanaian fisheries observer, vanished while monitoring operations aboard a tuna fishing vessel—yet his family remains without answers about his fate. Despite repeated pleas from his relatives and environmental organizations, Ghanaian authorities have provided no explanation for his disappearance and have withheld crucial DNA test results that could bring closure to his grieving family.

Abayateye, a father of two, was working aboard the Marine 707, a Ghana-flagged tuna boat operated by World Marine Company Ltd., when he was reported missing on October 30, 2023. His role as a fisheries observer was critical for monitoring fishing practices and ensuring regulatory compliance—a job that environmental advocates say can sometimes put observers at risk when they witness illegal activities.

The mystery deepened six weeks later when a severely mutilated body—missing its head, forearms, and feet—washed ashore near Anyamam, the coastal settlement where Abayateye’s family lives. Relatives identified similarities to the missing observer, prompting police to request DNA samples from his mother for comparison. However, authorities have since remained silent about the test results, despite the family’s persistent requests for information.

The case highlights broader concerns about the safety of fisheries observers, who play a vital role in combating illegal fishing practices worldwide. The Fisheries Alliance, a Ghanaian NGO, along with international organizations, continues pressuring the government for transparency. Mongabay’s attempts to reach Ghanaian police for comment were unsuccessful, leaving Abayateye’s family trapped in an agonizing limbo while seeking justice for their loved one.