Abstract
The Gambian and Malian fisheries and fish processing value chains are predominantly artisanal and represent a key source of protein and livelihoods, yet their eco-efficiency has not been studied to date. A Life Cycle Assessment was used to estimate the associated environmental impacts of those value chains and provide information on the eco-efficiency indicators, which relate technical efficiencies to environmental impacts. The results showed that industrial Gambian fleets’ fuel use efficiency is rather low as compared with the global mean fuel use intensity (landed fish/consumed fuel) for both small pelagics and demersal fish. In Mali, the fuel use intensity of motorised artisanal fisheries is lower than the mean values for artisanal inland fisheries in developing countries, but the important increase of frozen imported fish from fish farming multiplies the estimated impacts by four. The least energy-intensive fisheries (cast nets and stow nets in Gambia and opportunistic fishers in Mali) feature better eco-efficiency scores. Based on the identified sources of inefficiencies, we suggest improvements in the landing/processing infrastructure and fishing units’ engines, coupled with technical and business training and improved processing methods, to ameliorate seafood eco-efficiency and a stronger recognition of the importance of the artisanal fisheries subsector to overcome challenges and improving resource management.
Highlights
IntroductionIn the context of declining fish stocks, growing population and increasingly complex relations among actors in the fisheries sector [2], a value chain analysis revealed strategies that enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of all economic agents involved [3]
In Africa, as large populations depend on fisheries for food security and livelihoods, studies combining socioeconomic and environmental ecosystem concerns are valuable to decision-makers [4,5]
The goal of this work is to assess the environmental impacts and eco-efficiency of the Gambian and Malian fisheriesbased value chains, to identify priorities for improvement and to offer recommendations aimed at improving the eco-efficiency and, to reduce the environmental impacts of the concerned value chains while increasing their technical efficiency
Summary
In the context of declining fish stocks, growing population and increasingly complex relations among actors in the fisheries sector [2], a value chain analysis revealed strategies that enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of all economic agents involved [3]. In Africa, fish is the main animal protein source (36%), and historically, this proportion has reached 40% for inland fish in the 1990s [6]. It has been recently estimated [7]. 20 billion USD plus an additional 3.6 billion USD generated across value chains by the small-scale fishing sector alone. The growth of fish supply in the region is generally lower than it should be to satisfy the growing demand [8]
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