Informal artisanal fish trade in West Africa: Improving cross-border trade

Abstract

In West Africa, fishing and trading in fish and fishery products has been practiced for centuries and makes a significant contribution to per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Trade is associated with faster economic or GDP growth (see example in Table 1) and thus aids poverty reduction and the well-being of West African countries. However, unlike other food commodities, the full extent of trade flows is not well understood for fish in the region (Figure 1). Most fish trading is informal and undertaken by the most disadvantaged people, often women. It is thus under-reported in many countries’ national accounting.