Full Citation and Abstract
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Title: |
Artisanal fishing and food security in the Okavango Delta, Botswana |
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Author(s): |
K. Mosepele, B.N. Ngwenya, T. Bernard |
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Address: |
Harry Openheimer Okavango Research Centre, University of Botswana, Botswana 285, Maun, Botswana
Harry Openheimer Okavango Research Centre, University of Botswana, Botswana 285, Maun, Botswana
University of Ohio,
Athens, OH, USA
kmosepele @ orc.ub.bw, bntombi @ orc.ub.bw, Bernard @ ohio.edu |
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Reference: |
WASD 2006 Proceedings pp. 159 - 168 |
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Abstract/
Summary |
This paper is based on analysis of primary data collected from a random sample of 248 subsistence fishers' households to assess the contribution of artisanal fishing towards food security in the Okavango Delta (OD) of Botswana. Results show that a high proportion of subsistence fishers are economically marginalised, with no or very little formal education. Characteristically, fisher households belong to one ethnic group, are inter-generational and own arable land. Some (39%) subsistence fishers peddle fish around the village, of which 3% purchase food from their sales. Some fishers barter their catch for grain, while fish contributes at least 50% of household food in most households. During periods of food shortage, subsistence fishers increase their catches to augment their food supply. Not surprisingly, approximately 44% of households regard fish as an important food strategy during periods of food shortage. Fish is therefore a major source of food security for the Delta's economically marginalised subsistence fishers. |
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