Socio-economic importance of the artisanal fishery for stakeholders in Benguela Province, Angola

Abstract

Angola, an African country situated adjacent to the prolific Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem faces challenges linked to the poor management of the fishery sector and its low contribution to the national GDP, exacerbated by data scarcity due to lack of studies of the artisanal fishery sector in the region. This study aims to describe the socio-economic profile of small-scale fishery stakeholders and to highlight the importance of artisanal fishing in reducing poverty and sustaining livelihoods in Benguela province. Primary data was obtained through a field survey in Angola with structured questionnaires applied among small-scale fishery stakeholders; interviews with leaders of fishers’ cooperatives and government representatives in Benguela province were also performed. The data were analysed thematically through qualitative and quantitative methods. The study reveals that direct fisheries employment comprises 0.5% of the province's population, with 8% of families directly benefiting from this sector. Although women do not go out to fish, they dominate the trading market in terms of numbers, cooperative work, and mobility. The local markets trade crustaceans and bony fish differently due to high demand and low availability, influenced by lack of fishing knowledge and suitable gear, weak preservation infrastructure and poor road accessibility. Therefore, artisanal non-bony fish are primarily consumed in urban restaurants, with 90% featuring crustaceans, at prices nearly triple that of finfish. However, artisanal fishery stakeholders face challenges in terms of investment, catches, and revenues due to a general lack of financial education, environmental knowledge, and collective action. Financial support, fuel subsidies, appropriate fishing gear, and financial and environmental management training are all needed. This study provides crucial policy insights supporting the economic growth of the artisanal fishery sector in the area, offering potential for future qualitative and quantitative studies on the socioeconomic importance of seafood at regional and national levels.