2. The necessity of a sustainable approach to fishery
«Government will therefore endeavour to manage the
resources sustainably in order to derive maximum benefits, which will
contribute towards food security for all Sierra Leoneans, and the reduction of
poverty» (GoSL, Agenda for Change 2008)
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a. Economic growth and sustainability
Previous policies were unsuccessful, inadequate and
inefficient regarding the reduction of poverty and improvement of food
security. In 2008, the government of Sierra Leone introduced a sustainable
approach to the management scheme in order to exploit its fish resources to
their fullest for as long as possible. The fishery sector in Sierra Leone can
produce an annual economic return of an estimated US$ 59. That being said such
an achievement depends greatly on adequate management. Two types of management
scheme exist: type I and type II. The type I management scheme describes a use
rights framework under which maximization of economic benefits is sought out.
On the other hand, the type II management scheme describes a
government-controlled top-down framework under which maximization of fish
production is sought out. The type II management scheme is the most widespread.
The issue with this scheme is that it generates slight to no economic rent. In
the long term economic and biological overexploitation are to be expected when
applying the type II scheme. Evidently, Sierra Leonean fisherfolks work
«under weakly defined use-rights creating incentives to compete for fish
catches and to build greater fishing capacity», inevitably leading to
overfishing. Coincidentally, regulations implemented by the government usually
fail to handle and oversee the asymmetry between fish stocks and the quantity
fishers are actually extracting from the waters. Whereas in comparison, type I
management scheme which are founded on «strong use-rights and stakeholder
involvement, often involving collective action, have proved to be more
successful in achieving productive and sustainable fisheries» (Neiland, et
al. 2016). Poor management of the fishery sector results in loss in revenue and
opportunity both economic and social. Today's fishery sector state is
characterized by somewhat modest level of production, as well as moderate
profitability. Adequate management plays a key role in generating more revenue,
supporting the GDP and allowing for more employment and food security (NEPAD,
Action Plan for the Environment Initiative 2003).The mismanagement of the
fishery sector and unsustainable practices imply a depletion in fish stocks and
wasted economic potential. Effectively, while benefits are large they won't
sustain in the long run and do more harm than good to the natural resources.
Type II management schemes while harmful in the long run are particularly
attractive to countries like Sierra Leone, poor and in need of important cash
flow especially in time of crisis. Drawing a comparison, with proper
sustainable management, namely type I scheme, the fishery sector can perform
much better and for a longer period. Investments of surplus can then lead to
down-stream employment both in primary and
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secondary employment (e.g. processing, marketing and trading)
and also contribute to food security (FAO 2014).
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