This is Plantain Island, a small fishing island on the coast of Sierra Leone. It is of historical significance, with slavers, pirates and early colonists all inhabiting the island in its past.
However, in more recent years the island has been disappearing. Whether it's through erosion or sinking (they're not sure) the locals will confirm that the shore lines have in some areas withdrawn as much as 20 metres in the past 10 years.
At the end of 2011 a brand new fish landing bay is supposed to be opening up on the mainland - just a 30 minute boat ride away. It's aim is to reshape the fishing in the area: make it more sustainable, commercially successful and environmentally friendly. For those it employs it should mean a better future for the inhabitants of that area of Sierra Leone.
Either way the vibrant life and culture of Plantain Island will almost certainly change in the future.
I didn’t want to approach this project from an environmental point of view. Instead I satisfied with simply recording life as it is – wandering, watching, waiting, photographing.
These photos were taken over four days in October 2011.
