Fish trade in Africa: its characteristics, role and importance

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Africa and illustrates some of the ways in which fish trade affects development – with positive, negative and sometimes unclear outcomes. Although Africa is a minor player in global fish trade (Africa accounts for around five percent of global fish production and global fish trade), fisheries trade nonetheless has important local development impacts. Whilst some of those impacts are clear, others are underreported and poorly understood. An overview of fish trade in Africa including aspects not evident in official data is given, together with selected case studies that illustrate different dimensions of African fish trade. The conclusions focus on important development considerations for the sector.