How far can Tunas and Sardinellas derived from artisanal fishing be exported for retail trade from Côte D’Ivoire, West Africa?

Abstract

In West Africa, marine artisanal fisheries´ usefulness lies in their capability to support people´s increasing demand for fish, as fish-consumption is generally viewed as the first and foremost way to provide a large amount of animal proteins to consumers. Here, information about the marine artisanal fishery located at Sassandra, southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, are provided, talking about the processing, marketing and distribution of two small pelagic species that are targeted by that fishery. The study was carried out as field work activities in February-March and August-September 2021, using a questionnaire to which people working for the benefit of the fishery willingly submitted themselves. The results shed light on marketing and the route to be followed by the fishery products when these are to leave Sassandra for retail trade. Women participation in post-harvesting tasks is also singled out as a way to acknowledge the significant role they play in artisanal fisheries. The study calls on decision Makers to equip attention to equip women with modern ovens as a way to tackle problems facing women in their efforts to process the fish.