International Journal of
Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Fish. Aquac.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9839
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJFA
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 235

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-economic characteristics of the fishing fleets operating in Benin, West Africa

Simon Ahouansou Montcho
  • Simon Ahouansou Montcho
  • School of Aquaculture, National University of Agriculture (UNA), Porto-Novo, Benin.
  • Google Scholar
Setonde Constant Gnansounou
  • Setonde Constant Gnansounou
  • Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic Science, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
  • Google Scholar
Josiane Flora Chadare
  • Josiane Flora Chadare
  • Laboratoire de Sciences et Technologie des Aliments et Bioressources et de Nutrition Humaine, Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles (ESTCTPA), Université Nationale d’Agriculture (UNA), Benin.
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Kolawole Valere Salako
  • Kolawole Valere Salako
  • Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic Science, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
  • Google Scholar
Zacharie Sohou
  • Zacharie Sohou
  • Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Bénin (IRHOB), Cotonou, Bénin.
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Pierre Failler
  • Pierre Failler
  • Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, UK.
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Romain Glele Kakai
  • Romain Glele Kakai
  • Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic Science, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
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Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo
  • Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo
  • Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic Science, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
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  •  Received: 16 November 2021
  •  Accepted: 19 April 2022
  •  Published: 31 May 2022

Abstract

The fishery industry plays a paramount role in poverty alleviation, food security and job creation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Scientific attempts to characterize the sector are however limited. This study used primary and secondary data from 2014 to 2018 to characterize fishing fleets and the diversity of fish species landed in Benin. Primary data were collected via face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions with informants identified using snowball and purposive sampling techniques. Secondary data on the landing statistics for five years (2014-2018) were additionally obtained from the Direction of Halieutic Production (DHP). Findings showed that five fishing fleets are currently operating in Benin, including the Artisanal National Continental Fleet (ANCF), Artisanal National Maritime Fleet (ANMF), Artisanal Foreign Maritime Fleet (AFMF), National Industrial Fleet (NIF) and Foreign Industrial Fleet (FIF). The mean annual volume from all the fishing fleets for the study period was 52,997 ± 12,269 tons, with an average commercial value of 82,194,096 ± 17,618,162 euros per year. Also, 48 species were recorded for the ANMF, 36 families of freshwater species for the ANCF, 43 species for AFMF, and 40 species for FIF. The catch volumes and their associated commercial values showed significant difference across the fishing fleets (ANOVA, p<0.05). This study highlights the paramount importance of the Artisanal National Continental Fleet in Benin and provides useful information for regional and global assessment of the fishery industry in the country.

Key words: Fisheries, fleets, short-term assessment, West Africa.