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Population and development in fishing communities: The challenge ahead

Year of publication 1994

Pages 61

Author Ute Heinbuch;Fishery and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division

Product type Project

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The populations in all IDAF countries grew substantially during the last three decades, thereby hampering overall economic growth. Despite remarkable increases in agricultural production including fish, food supply could not keep pace with population growth. The population of the region will continue to grow fast in the years to come and is - based on its current average annual growth rate of 3% - expected to double in about 25 years. The implicationc of further population growth for the art isanal fisheries sector, which plays a crucial role within the region as a provider of employment and animal protein, are threefold: (i) the increasing number of (young) people entering the labour force market challenges the labour absorbing capacity of the sector; (u) increased fishing effort is putting pressure on limited resources; and (iii) the increasing demand for (cheap) animal protein challenges the potential of the fishery resource. Any efforts to develop appropriate strategies fo r a sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources harmonized with the increasing demands for employment, income and food of a growing population have to be based on the active participation of the fisherfolk themselves. Consequently, the design of such strategies requires a better knowledge of the perceptions of fisherfolk on population-development interrelationships, their view on the sustainability of artisanal fisheries and its role in providing the livelihood for their children in the future. In this context, IDAF undertook three case studies during 1992-93, one each in The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria with the following objectives: t> to appraise the level of awareness amongst fisherfolk in the target communities on the interrelationships between population, resources, and the socio-economic environment; t> to assess the population and development concerns and advise on (i) potential fisheryoriented interventions; and (ii) potential population-oriented interventions. Based on their own past experience or even that of several generations, fisherfolk generally consider fishing and related activities as good occupations providing adequate employment, income and food. The introduction of improved fishing technology during the last decades pushed the sector substantially in terms of production. During the past few years,however, fisherfolk in all communities investigated observe declining catches, while at the same time the general cost of living are felt to have incre ased. The majority of fisherfolk people is taking the richness of the fishery resource as granted, and consequently they make mainly the lack of fishing inputs due to unavailability or high prices responsible for the prevailing lower catches. Some fisherfolk are, however, concerned about the increasing number of fishermen exploiting the given resources and link this directly to declining catches.They are apparently aware of the limited nature of the fishery resource and, hence, the need for co nservation efforts.One overwhelming finding of the studies is the importance given to formal education.

Cite this content as:

Heinbuch, U., Population and Development in Fishing Communities: The Challenge 1994 Ahead. Cotonou, Programme for the Integrated Development of Artisanal Fisheries in West Africa, 54 p., IDAF/WP/63.

Language English

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