Information and communication with regards to securing sustainable small scale fisheries:
First of all, small scale fisheries are businesses that involve mostly labour intensive technology to harvest, process and distribute fishes that were caught in rivers close to the shores of the country. Small scale fishers are members of households constrained by lack of sufficient financial resources, necessary human capital (skills) and equipment. As a result, they compete with large scale fishing companies, at a disadvantage of course, which are privileged with adequate resources such as; finances, information and technology.
Therefore, large scale fishing tends to increase the supply of fish in the market and thus results in a reduction in the price. Hence, inter- industry competition occurs where large scale fishing companies acquire economies of scale; which eventually eliminates small scale fisheries since they are unable to profitably compete in this market.
In order to sustain small scale fishing ventures, relevant programmes must be established. For instance, small scale fishers should be educated with regards to the overall operations and components of the fishing industry; which would inform them about the economic aspects of the market such as the demand and supply of fish. Also, fishers would learn of the theory of ‘price takers’ and its implication; in addition to other relevant information which would facilitate a clearer understanding of their industry. Such programmes could be implemented through workshops facilitated by the Government, Civil Society or the Private Sector.
Other approaches to sustain small scale fishing operations could comprise of easy (or easier) access to credit which would be used to purchase equipment and thus reduce the technology gap between small scale and large scale fishers. In addition, subsidized training should be provided to educate small scale fisheries about the operations of modern technology. Also, subsidized transportation and storage facilities should be enacted in order to enable access to the market. And finally, Government should implement an appropriate price floor (a minimum price that can be charged for the catch); which will act as protection for small scale fisheries from price competition of large scale fisheries.
Therefore, educating small scale fisheries, as well as providing information on new technology and developments in the industry, can empower them in terms of making them feel more involved, less intimidated and hopefully more successful.
Source: FAO: Strategies for Increasing the Contribution of Small-Scale Capture Fisheries to Food Security and Poverty Alleviation In The WECAFC Region
Information and communication with regards to securing sustainable small scale fisheries:
First of all, small scale fisheries are businesses that involve mostly labour intensive technology to harvest, process and distribute fishes that were caught in rivers close to the shores of the country. Small scale fishers are members of households constrained by lack of sufficient financial resources, necessary human capital (skills) and equipment. As a result, they compete with large scale fishing companies, at a disadvantage of course, which are privileged with adequate resources such as; finances, information and technology.
Therefore, large scale fishing tends to increase the supply of fish in the market and thus results in a reduction in the price. Hence, inter- industry competition occurs where large scale fishing companies acquire economies of scale; which eventually eliminates small scale fisheries since they are unable to profitably compete in this market.
In order to sustain small scale fishing ventures, relevant programmes must be established. For instance, small scale fishers should be educated with regards to the overall operations and components of the fishing industry; which would inform them about the economic aspects of the market such as the demand and supply of fish. Also, fishers would learn of the theory of ‘price takers’ and its implication; in addition to other relevant information which would facilitate a clearer understanding of their industry. Such programmes could be implemented through workshops facilitated by the Government, Civil Society or the Private Sector.
Other approaches to sustain small scale fishing operations could comprise of easy (or easier) access to credit which would be used to purchase equipment and thus reduce the technology gap between small scale and large scale fishers. In addition, subsidized training should be provided to educate small scale fisheries about the operations of modern technology. Also, subsidized transportation and storage facilities should be enacted in order to enable access to the market. And finally, Government should implement an appropriate price floor (a minimum price that can be charged for the catch); which will act as protection for small scale fisheries from price competition of large scale fisheries.
Therefore, educating small scale fisheries, as well as providing information on new technology and developments in the industry, can empower them in terms of making them feel more involved, less intimidated and hopefully more successful.
Source: FAO: Strategies for Increasing the Contribution of Small-Scale Capture Fisheries to Food Security and Poverty Alleviation In The WECAFC Region
ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/document/wecafc/11thsess/WECAFCXI_4E.pdf