Interpreting Perceptions about Coastal Fisheries in Sierra Leone: Scapegoats and Panaceas

Abstract

This paper analyses the myriad perceptions about coastal fisheries in Sierra Leone expressed by respondents in 66 interviews conducted in 2017 and 2020 during two periods of fieldwork in two coastal communities (Tombo and Goderich). Most of these perceptions focused on the respondents’ explanations for the dire state of the coastal fisheries, and often these explanations sought ‘scapegoats’ to blame. Our findings are that the main ‘scapegoats’ were foreigners, industrial trawlers, artisanal fishers, fishers’ unions and the government. Other interpretations focused on the respondents’ recommendations for restoring the health of the coastal fisheries, and our findings here are that the main ‘panaceas’ were coercion, sensitisation, and co-management. In discussing these findings, we came to the conclusion that both the identification of scapegoats and the search for panaceas were unhelpful ways of understanding and alleviating the problems facing Sierra Leone’s coastal fisheries because they polarised and over-simplified the issues, sowing divisions between the stakeholders, thereby reinforcing and prolonging the crisis. A more fruitful approach is to look for ways of forging links and establishing partnerships between the disparate players, especially between the government and community organisations.

Marine Fishing Management Towards Sustainability in Sierra Leone

“…Primary longitudinal data of marine fisheries resources and their use in Sierra Leone is notoriously difficult to obtain, and secondary data is both limited and likely distorted and somewhat fails to represent truth [25]. Despite these limitations, we aim to present the best-quality data available, including total marine fish catch data in Sierra Leone from 1976 to 2018, extracted from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) FishstatJ database [26], expanding on the work of Seto et al [27].…”

“…Implementing any improved management measures must therefore, ensure that key messages are well communicated and understood within the population, such as government laws, Marine Protected Area (MPA) signage and fishing quota documentation, and mass public communications and consumer messages. Building quality education (SDG4) would likely have real implications on resource sustainability, as currently more than 80% of fishermen in Sierra Leone are illiterate and supposedly do not agree with the potential for fish stock depletion [25]. Better involving women and youth in the decision-making process would increase progress, inclusiveness and equality (SDG5) [49].…”

“…Additionally, the distribution of money may have cascading effects. For example, some suggest that inadequate investment in the fisheries sector in Sierra Leone at least partly explains the low quality and quantity of fish data, limiting its capacity to inform decisions [25]. Science and technology must be considered.…”

“…Currently, Sierra Leone imports more than it exports, but could benefit from concerted efforts to boost production and sustainable use of marine and other agricultural products. Coastal communities feel that foreign vessels and industrial fishing fleets have played a large role in the reduction of fish stocks in Sierra Leone, because of their choice of fishing gear (e.g., trawl nets) which have high levels of bycatch and discards, and their illegal fishing within the inshore economic zone (IEZ) intended for small-scale fishers [25]. There is clearly much to be done in Sierra Leone to ensure fairness, including effective enforcement of international laws, and reconciling relationships among users, managers, and authorities engaged in marine fishing.…”

“…For example, in international trade relationships, foreign countries may disproportionately benefit and overexploit the resources and economics of developing countries [37]. Furthermore, as fish catch data for the industrial sector is reported by on-board observers who are paid by vessel owners rather than by government, data accuracy is deemed questionable [25]; a suitable remedial response might therefore, be for the government to recruit, train and safeguard on-board observers, increasing data quality and the likelihood of making effective and appropriate evidence-based decisions.…”