Conducted jointly by ISRA and ISRA, this research highlights the importance of the artisanal sardinella fishery in Senegal.
Key Takeaway: Conducted jointly by ISRA and ISRA, this research highlights the importance of the artisanal sardinella fishery in Senegal.
Aliou Ba, researcher at CRODT (Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles [Dakar]).
Thesis defended in 2017 at the doctoral school Sciences de la Vie, de la Santé et de l'Environnement.
This research is the result of an international joint supervision (cotutelle) between several partner institutions.
Context and Problem Statement
Small pelagic fish, particularly sardinella (Sardinella aurita and S. maderensis), are a major fisheries resource in Northwest Africa. In Senegal, artisanal sardinella fishing plays a central role in the local economy and food security. However, this resource is currently facing an overexploitation crisis, marked by a significant decline in biomass. Recent assessments reveal that artisanal fishing, carried out mainly using purse seines and encircling gillnets, is threatened by inadequate resource management. This situation calls for an in-depth analysis of the profitability and dynamics of this fishery in order to identify viable solutions.
Methodology
The approach adopted for this research combines a twenty-year profitability analysis with the development of a bioeconomic model. The profitability analysis assesses shipowners' profits as well as changes in operating costs. The data collected includes information on prices, fishing costs, and sardinella growth and mortality rates. The bioeconomic model simulates the fishery's responses to various parameters, including economic, biological, and policy factors. The scenarios assessed include the impacts of reducing fishing capacity and implementing management measures such as taxes, subsidies, and temporary closures.
Key Findings
The data analysis reveals an alarming decline in shipowner profits, ranging from 65% to 100%, alongside an increase in operating costs estimated between 25% and 90% for the two fishing methods studied. These results illustrate a situation of severe overcapacity in the artisanal sardinella fishery. The bioeconomic model indicates that a 50% reduction in fishing capacity is necessary to restore a sustainable balance. Simulations show that freezing or reducing fishing effort could not only improve profitability but also ensure the sustainability of sardinella exploitation.
The management measures suggested by the model include an integrated, coordinated approach among the various states that share this resource. Indeed, artisanal sardinella fishing in Senegal is interconnected with fisheries in neighboring countries, which calls for regional cooperation for effective management. Such an approach would provide decision-makers with a shared tool for sustainable fisheries management.
Discussion and Outlook
The current crisis in artisanal sardinella fishing in Senegal underscores the urgency of reforms in marine resource management. The results of this research highlight the importance of a collaborative approach among countries in the region to ensure the sustainability of fisheries. The challenges related to implementing effective management strategies must be addressed by governments, which need to encourage fishers to adopt sustainable practices while preserving their livelihoods.
Future prospects include developing shared management scenarios among states, making it possible to harmonize fishing policies and maximize socio-economic benefits while reducing pressure on the resource. The need for coordinated studies is crucial to ensure the long-term viability of artisanal sardinella fishing. In addition, further research could explore the impact of market dynamics on the profitability of artisanal fisheries in the sub-region, as well as the importance of sustainable fishing practices for the resilience of coastal communities.
The findings presented in this research provide a solid basis for decision-makers and fisheries managers, underscoring the importance of proactive, integrated management of fisheries resources. Implementing evidence-based management strategies could transform the artisanal sardinella fishery into a model of sustainability, contributing to food security and the local economy in Senegal and the sub-region.
Key Data
- 65 to 100%: decline in shipowner profits over 20 years
- 25 to 90%: increase in operating costs depending on fishing methods
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Sources and Access
Aliou Ba. Analyse microéconomique et modélisation bioéconomique de la pêcherie artisanale de sardinelles au Sénégal. Sciences de l'environnement. Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, 2017. Français. ⟨NNT : ⟩. ⟨tel-01710807⟩