Seasonal flows of economic benefits in small-scale fisheries in Liberia: A value chain analysis

Jueseah, Alvin Slewion; Knútsson, Ögmundur; Kristófersson, Daði Már; Tómasson, Tumi

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104042

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The results suggest the need for integrated management measures that include catch reduction measures and effort limits, following experiences from effective interventions worldwide (Melnychuk et al, 2021), as the recovered fish resources will benefit both the foreign and domestic run vessels. Finally, for the government of Liberia, the relatively low levels of trawl fishing effort reflect a policy choice to limit licensing and prioritize domestic small‐scale fisheries instead of the trade for fishing services (Jueseah et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These outcomes include overexploited stocks and degraded habitat (Akpalu & Eggert, 2020), reduced supplies of animal‐source protein for local populations (Petrossian & Clarke, 2020), adverse impacts on small‐scale fisheries (e.g. conflicts and lack of safety from overlaps, effects of competition on incomes and livelihoods) (Belhabib et al, 2020; Jueseah et al, 2020; Owusu & Andriesse, 2020), and incidents of illegal fishing (Belhabib et al, 2019; EJF & Hen Mpoano, 2019; Jueseah et al, 2020; Pauly, 2018). These negative environmental and social outcomes raise the question as to whether the benefits of these arrangements are larger than the cost.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A snapshot of the economic benefits from foreign bottom trawling in coastal West Africa: A mutually‐beneficial trade in services, no winners or extractivism?

Virdin

Vegh

Akester³

et al. 2022

Fish and Fisheries

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Large‐scale fishing effort in the waters of tropical and lower income countries is predominantly driven by ‘distant water fishing fleets’ often owned by companies based in a small number of countries and has been associated with a range of negative environmental and social outcomes. West Africa is an example where such fleets are a dominant feature. In the waters of Guinea‐Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana, 75% of all licensed bottom trawl vessels in 2017 either registered (‘flagged’) or largely owned in China. In this context, we examined the size and distribution of the economic outcomes from operation of these vessels in above five countries to better understand the impacts of these coastal states’ decision for allocating access to the distant water bottom trawl fleet. Based on analysis of heterogeneous sources of data, we estimate that in 2017 the China‐flagged or owned coastal bottom trawl fleets generated little to no net economic benefits in terms of resource rent for either the companies or the coastal states in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. Significantly higher economic benefits were generated from the offshore fishery in Guinea‐Bissau (US$31 million) and Guinea (US$25–38 million), largely captured by the companies owning the China‐flagged fleet. The size and distribution of the resource rent suggest that based solely of economic measures, the five coastal states may want to better assess the terms of these access arrangements for the foreign‐flagged or owned bottom trawl fleets. The fishing companies may need to reassess the sustainability of their operations, particularly in the southern states for long‐term economic benefits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A snapshot of the economic benefits from foreign bottom trawling in coastal West Africa: A mutually‐beneficial trade in services, no winners or extractivism?

Virdin

Vegh

Akester³

et al. 2022

Fish and Fisheries

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“…For example, the value of exports in 2014 reached US$1 million, one third of which was directed towards EU countries, 17% to China, 10% to Japan, 8% to the Ivory Coast, with 7% to Ghana, and the remaining spread across numerous countries. 4 The SSF, even with the smaller catches, employs an estimated 10,800 people compared to the 500 people employed in the industrial sector, mostly as deckhands on vessels or as labourers in fish cold storage units and depots ( [52,53]:2). Therefore, the SSF plays a vital role in the fisheries' production and food security of Liberians, including increasing coastal residents' resilience to shocks such as armed conflicts and epidemic outbreaks that may disrupt the more formal food system [32,53].…”

Section: Liberiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival of the Richest, not the Fittest: How attempts to improve governance impact African small-scale marine fisheries

et al. 2022

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The sustainable use of fisheries resources is a priority of the African Union in developing the Blue Economy (BE). Growing global demand for seafood has attracted diverse actors to African waters, including Distant Water Fishing Nations (DWFNs) fleets. Complex fisheries governance challenges, unsustainable rates of fishing and rising fisheries-related crimes have ensued. To reverse these impacts, some African states are deploying various fisheries governance mechanisms. Drawing on extensive expert experiences, the review of literature, fisheries databases, international and regional agency reports, NGO and government reports and case studies from West and East Africa, we demonstrate two critical findings. First, fisheries governance mechanisms in Africa act largely to constrain small-scale fisheries (SSF) while failing to contain the industrial fisheries sector, resulting in the marginalisation of the SSF. Secondly, despite a higher incidence of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in industrial fisheries than the SSF, fisheries governance mechanisms continue to advance the 'Survival of the Richest' -the industrial sector, to the detriment of the 'Fittest' -the SSF. The SSF supports millions of jobs and is better adapted to meet the continents' nutrition and socio-economic security. For the fisheries sector to contribute to the sustainable development of Africans, states must redirect governance towards regulating the industrial sector, emphasising equitable access for the SSF whilst prioritising ecological sustainability.

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“…The data were collected between July and December in 2018, during the peak season for the small pelagic fish in Ghana. In West Africa, in general, seasonality plays an important role in the trade of these fish in terms of the volume of fish products available and species diversity (Jueseah et al 2020). The focus group interviews covered the ICBT products, the trade flow routes and the intrinsic and extrinsic social and economic factors that influence this flow.…”

Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Illuminating informal cross-border trade in processed small pelagic fish in West Africa

Ayilu

Nyiawung

2022

Maritime Studies

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Trade in processed small pelagic fish and informal cross-border trade (ICBT) are linked to livelihood activities in West Africa. Although these fish products are being traded informally in West Africa, research on this topic is limited. This study builds on a multi-partner supported ‘FishTrade’ initiative in Africa to illuminate the volume and value of informal fish trade across the Ghana–Togo–Benin (GTB) borders, and the socio-demographic determinants supporting participation and profitability in this trade. We used a structured survey and focus group interviews to obtain data from women fish traders, who handle the entire fish trade in three major Ghanaian markets where ICBT activities are concentrated. Our results showed ICBT across these borders constitutes significant economic and livelihood potential, estimated at about 6000 MT in volume and US$14 million in market value per annum. Furthermore, socio-demographic factors, such as fish traders’ years of experience and membership in an unofficial market cooperative, positively influence participation and profitability, but access to market information negatively affects participation. However, geographical distance, large household size and access to micro-finance negatively affect ICBT profitability. Our findings illuminate that consumers’ purchasing power, fish taste and preference, ICBT’s economic opportunities and a shared heritage and connection significantly influence this form of trading along the GTB borders. We conclude that ICBT in these small pelagic processed fish represents untapped potential for local livelihood and highlight the need for further research on this topic.

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Seasonal flows of economic benefits in small-scale fisheries in Liberia: A value chain analysis

Cited by 16 publications

References 23 publications

A snapshot of the economic benefits from foreign bottom trawling in coastal West Africa: A mutually‐beneficial trade in services, no winners or extractivism?

A snapshot of the economic benefits from foreign bottom trawling in coastal West Africa: A mutually‐beneficial trade in services, no winners or extractivism?

Survival of the Richest, not the Fittest: How attempts to improve governance impact African small-scale marine fisheries

Illuminating informal cross-border trade in processed small pelagic fish in West Africa

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