Fish Losses for Whom? A Gendered Assessment of Post-Harvest Losses in the Barotse Floodplain Fishery, Zambia

Abstract

Few studies examine post-harvest fish losses using a gender lens or collect sex-disaggregated data. This mixed-methods study assessed fish losses experienced by female and male value chain actors in a fishery in western Zambia to determine who experiences losses, why, and to what extent. Results indicate that participation in the fishery value chain is gendered and most losses occur during post-harvest activities. Discussions with fishers, processors, and traders suggest the value chain is more fluid than often depicted, with people making calculated decisions to sell fresh or dried fish depending on certain conditions, and mostly driven by the need to avoid losses and attain higher prices. The study shows that gender norms shape the rewards and risks offered by the value chain. This could be the reason why a greater proportion of women than men experienced physical losses in our study sample. Female processors lost three times the mass of their fish consignments compared to male processors. Technical constraints (lack of processing technologies) and social constraints (norms and beliefs) create gender gaps in post-harvest losses. Addressing unequal gender relations in value chains, whilst also promoting the use of loss-reducing technologies, could increase fish supply and food security in small-scale fisheries.

Determinants of fish catch and post-harvest fish spoilage in small-scale marine fisheries in the Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

“…The extent of post-harvest fish loss affects men and women differently ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ; Kruijssen et al., 2020 ). Female fishers, especially the older ones, are involved in the collection of invertebrates, nearshore fishing and processing activities such as frying, drying and smoking, which reduce spoilage.…”

“…The females reported shorter selling times for their catch than the males (10.1 vs. 13, hrs respectively), reducing the spoilage. Additionally, larger species of fish spoil easily and take longer to process compared to the invertebrates collected by females ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ). However, related studies have reported more physical losses in females than in male fishers ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ; Kruijssen et al., 2020 ), because females rely on the labour of males to operate fishing vessels or carry heavy consignments.…”

“…Additionally, larger species of fish spoil easily and take longer to process compared to the invertebrates collected by females ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ). However, related studies have reported more physical losses in females than in male fishers ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ; Kruijssen et al., 2020 ), because females rely on the labour of males to operate fishing vessels or carry heavy consignments. However, fishing near shore and gleaning for invertebrates do not require labour from males, providing females more control of their fishing activities.…”

“…It has been estimated that 10% of the world's fish catch is lost due to poor handling, processing, storage and distribution ( Maulu et al., 2020 ). The losses in small-scale fisheries are particularly high ( Gyan et al., 2020 ; Kaminski et al., 2020 ). Tanzania and Uganda experience up to a 40% physical loss of sardines, Rastrineobola argentea ( Akande and Diei-Ouadi, 2010 ).…”

“…The lack of cold storage facilities and inappropriate processing skills increase nutritional and quality loss in fish ( Akintola and Fakoya, 2017 ; Tesfay and Teferi, 2017 ). Quick selling of catches reduces the loss incurred by fishers because they pass on any of their losses to traders ( Kaminski et al., 2020 ). Various coping strategies are used by fishers with varying degrees of success, but nutritional losses and spoilage still occur ( Ahmed, 2008 ; Akande and Diei-Ouadi, 2010 ).…”