This study presents an in-depth value chain analysis (VCA) of the artisanal billfish fishery in Tanzania, focusing on its structure, socio-economic dynamics, and governance. Despite their ecological and economic significance, billfish fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean remain under-researched, especially in small-scale contexts. Using qualitative data from Mafia Island, Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, and Zanzibar, this research mapped the billfish value chain. It examined the roles of key stakeholders from fishers to consumers alongside the flow of products, finance, and information. The findings revealed a fragmented value chain characterized by informal governance structures, weak bargaining power for fishers and limited value addition at the production level. Traders exerted significant influence through pricing and credit arrangements, while relational and captive governance typologies characterized the interactions between fisher-traders. Infrastructure gaps, lack of financial access, and limited post-harvest processing constrained equitable benefit distribution and sustainability. The study highlighted the need for inclusive governance reforms, investments in cold storage and processing facilities, and enhanced fisher participation in decision-making. The findings have significant implications for the joint development of policies and frameworks to enhance the sustainability and resilience of artisanal fisheries in Tanzania and the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.
扫码关注我们
求助内容:
应助结果提醒方式:
