Performance in tuna and other fishery resources use in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire: a case study stating implications for fishers´ settlement and employment generated by the marine artisanal fishing sector

Abstract

Gathered facts about the marine artisanal fishery located at Sassandra, southwestern Côte d’Ivoire are provided, talking about commercial species that are targeted by that fishery, addressing the types of jobs generated and stating the prominent role of women, especially that of fishers´ wives, in post-harvesting tasks and related activities. Therefore, interviews were carried out in February, March and July 2021, within the fishers´ community, at dockside and marketplaces. The results indicated that the fishing sector generated a large number of professionals (250 respondents, of whom 76 men and 174 women) who were associated with fifteen types of jobs listed among managers appointed by the Government and privately employed professionals. In addition, socio-economic characteristics that were focused on indicated that the highest percentage of active persons (38.4%) was recorded within the age bracket of 35-45. More than half of respondents had no schooling. Tunas and other species landed, depending on fishing seasons, made up a large part of the fish consumed. Daily fish-consumption varied depending on household numbers, with consumption between 1.0 and 1.5 Kg/d or 2.0 and 2.5 Kg/d being the commonest. This study really shows that the local fishery is of vital importance to the whole community.