Artisanal fisheries in West Africa: Problems of management implementation

Abstract

relevance and effectiveness of management measures for West African artisanal fisheries. The structure of the fisheries is described and the sociological background outlined. The authors then anaiyse direct control over effort, control of imported inputs, closed seasons, taxes and subsidies, and the relevance of such management measures to the West African context. Measures such as changes in the supply of competing protein imports, indirect control through the fish market and management through traditional institutions are discussed and the authors conclude by arguing that, while overfishing does not yet present a serious problem to West African fisheries, the area will present special problems to the fisheries manager in future.