Fishermen migration and small pelagic fisheries in West Africa: Dynamics and issues.
Type de matériel :
92
The objective of this article is to trace the flows of migrant fishermen targeting small pelagic fish in West Africa, from fishing locations right through to consumption areas. The methodology involved identifying the different small pelagic fish supply chains for migrant fishermen in various West African countries. Subsequently, field research in collaboration with national research institutions and a synthesis of regional studies on migrant fishing were conducted. This made it possible to analyze changes over time, in terms of actors involved, catch volumes and values, and the ways in which products from migrant fishing supply chains were valued and marketed during the 2008–2018 period. The quantities of pelagic fish caught by migrant fishermen are on the increase. Migrant fishing production for small pelagic fish has nearly doubled in the space of a decade, going from an average of 180,200 tons in the period from 2008 to 2012 to a current average production of nearly 324,500 tons. More than 48 percent of this production is sold on the market fresh or frozen. More than 74,800 tons (or 23 percent) and 94,000 tons (or 28 percent) are destined for artisanal and industrial processing respectively. Migrant fisheries thus supply the industrial processing sector more than the artisanal processing sector. Consequently, over the past decade, migrant supply chains have contributed to the emergence of fishmeal factories in West Africa, leading to an increase in food insecurity. Furthermore, their contribution to local economies is becoming increasingly important. However, despite their substantial growth in terms of the volume and value of catches, migrant fisheries still operate outside of legislative frameworks and are not explicitly accounted for in national statistics. Additionally, conflicts are on the rise due to current tensions and issues surrounding the exploitation of small pelagic fish in West Africa.
Réseaux sociaux