‘Catastrophic’: Sierra Leone sells rainforest for Chinese harbour

Controversial deal with China would be disastrous' for fishing and protected rainforest, say opponents

A $55m (39m) deal struck by the government of Sierra Leone with China to build an industrial fishing harbour on 100 hectares (250 acres) of beach and protected rainforest has been criticised as a catastrophic human and ecological disaster" by conservationists, landowners and rights groups.

The gold and black sands of Black Johnson beach fringe the African nation's Western Area Peninsula national park, home to endangered species including the duiker antelope and pangolins. The waters are rich in sardines, barracuda and grouper, caught by local fishermen who produce 70% of the fish for the domestic market.