Working Group on capital needs and availability in artisanal fisheries: methodology and lessons learned from case studies

Abstract

The existing way of financing of artisanal fisheries in West Africa is an element which has received so far few attention during the preparation of development policies. Unfortunately, this lack of knowledge has led to field actions of which the results have often be disappointing. Moreover, the informal sector continues to be the main source of financing of artisanal fisheries and the repayment rate of loans granted by the institutional sector is generally low. On this basis; the Programme for Integrated Development of Artisanal Fisheries in West Africa (IDAF) set up a Working Group on capital needs and availability in artisanal fisheries. Its objectives are: (i) to elaborate a simple but efficient methodology likely to facilitate the identification of capital requirements in the artisanal fishery sector in West Africa; (ii) to design a methodology to identify the availability of capital according to the different sources of financing; (iii) to analyze the results of the two case studies that will be carried out in Senegal and Ghana; (iv) to prepare a document indicating to what extent the lack of capital could hinder the sector's development; (v) to formulate a methodology for the study of fiscal policies in favour of the sector. The present report reviews the results of the activities undertaken in relation with the first three objectives....