Bioeconomic analysis of artisanal marine fisheries of Tanzania (Mainland)

Abstract

Artisanal marine fisheries of Tanzania involve the majority of the coastal population whose survival is entirely dependent on the coastal fishery resources. In this paper the artisanal sector of the marine fisheries for the period 1987 -2000 is analysed by applying Gordon-Schaefer Surplus Production Model on time series of total catch and standardised effort. Static reference points such as open access equilibrium, maximum economic yield and maximum sustainable yield are established in addition to the more dynamic optimal yield solution. The results show that the fishery has expanded beyond the economically optimum point where the current level of effort is further beyond that of maximum sustainable yield resulting in suboptimal yield, i.e. it has been evident that there is already overfishing in the inshore waters where majority of artisan fishermen concentrate. The major constraint is assumed to be the inadequate institution and legal framework for fisheries management. Also social and equity considerations have been the bottlenecks for the implementation of regulatory measures which would cause further unemployment. Thus, the present study calls for policy intervention to rescue the stock from the existing high fishing pressure that would lead to depletion.