Livelihood Strategies and Income Diversification of Fisher Households
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Number of pages:
x, 143
Year of publication:
2001
Print title:
Versleijen N. (2001). An Empty Sufuria: The Effects of a Marine Park on the Livelihood Strategies and Income Diversification of Fisherman Households at the Kenya Coast. (M.A. thesis). Wageningen: Wageningen University, Rural Development Sociology.
For reference purposes, cite the following link:
https://www.ascleiden.nl/kenya-coast/brd/versleijen/livelihood-strategies-fisher-households
Summary/abstract:
This study was carried out in the districts of Kilifi and Malindi. It focusses on the activities of artisanal fishermen and their households: their livelihood strategies, attitudes towards conservation, indigeneous environmental conservation practices and relations with the Watamu Marine National Park. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, participant observation, life and career histories, network analysis and genealogies in Uyombo, Takaungu and the Watamu Marine National Park. Also, discussions were held with the fishermen, Kenya Wildlife Service employees and people employed at the Watamu Marine National Park. Attention is given to historical background, wider context, human agency, property rights and community based natural resource management.
Fishermen are aware of the general degradation of marine resources but feel unable to do something about it because of existing household poverty. In response to declining incomes people may start to diversify their economic activities. Two types of diversification can be found: fishermen who diversify by starting to cultivate on a shamba and farmers who diversify by starting to fish. Because of this, people of other ethnicities and religions, than those of the traditional fishermen have started fishing. By and large, this meant the end of indigeneous ways of conservation. Finally the study revealed that many fishermen are willing to stop fishing. However, the lack of employment possibilities will probably only drive more people to fishing, causing more severe degradation of marine resources.