The role of fisheries for poverty reduction and food security: Evidence from household‐level data

• Published date: 01 May 2022
• Author: Antonio Martuscelli
• Date: 01 May 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/rode.12855

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     wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/rode  Rev Dev Econ. 2022;26:1056–1082.

© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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INTRODUCTION

The  efforts  of  the  international  community  to  end  hunger,  reduce  poverty, and  encourage 

sustainable natural  resource management  have recently  converged under  the United  Nations 

Sustainable  Development  Agenda  Goals.1. The  role  of   small- scale  fisheries  in  achieving  such 

Received: 8 June 2021 

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  Revised: 14 December 2021 

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  Accepted: 20 December 2021

DOI: 10.1111/rode.12855  

REGULAR ARTICLE

The role of fisheries for poverty reduction and

food security: Evidence from household- level

data

AntonioMartuscelli

LUMSA University, Roma, Italy

Correspondence

Antonio Martuscelli, LUMSA University, 

Borgo S. Angelo, 13, 00193 Roma RM, 

Italy.

Abstract

Though  fisheries  can  contribute  to  nutritional  needs, 

food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable natu-

ral resource management in many developing countries, 

their  role  in  the  achievement  of  sustainable  develop-

ment goals is often overlooked. Accordingly, data on the 

socioeconomic characteristics and  living conditions  of 

fishing communities  and households  are limited.  This 

study contributes  to a  better understanding of  fishing- 

related livelihoods by  analyzing household survey data 

relating to the food security, poverty, and livelihoods of 

fishing households.  It reveals  that, in  many countries, 

fishing  households  have  a  lower  probability  of  falling 

below the poverty line, with improved food security and 

nutrition indicators, showing that fisheries can, indeed, 

be an  important ally in  the fight  against poverty, hun-

ger, and food insecurity.

KEYWORDS

development, fishery, food security, poverty

JEL CLASSIFICATION

I30; Q01; Q22

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MARTUSCELLI

goals is  potentially significant,  and interest is  growing in  the socioeconomic characteristics  of 

fishing communities and  in the contribution of  fisheries and aquaculture to food  security, pov-

erty alleviation, improved livelihoods, and sustainable natural resource management in develop-

ing countries. The need to better understand fishery- related livelihoods to develop more effective, 

evidence- based poverty reduction strategies has been recently advocated by several authors (Béné 

et al., 2016; FAO, 2018; HLPE, 2014; Martin et al., 2013).

However, quantitative  information  on  the  socioeconomic  characteristics  and  living  condi-

tions of  fishing communities  and households is  still limited. The  fundamental lack  of reliable 

micro- level data on fisheries  and aquaculture is concerning given  the importance of the  sector, 

and the  fact that the availability  of good quality  micro- level data has  been identified as one  of 

the most important components of  development analysis and policy (Heckman, 2001). Detailed 

information on individuals, households, and enterprises is needed to understand their socioeco-

nomic conditions, analyze their behaviors, and, eventually, design effective policies. Data collec-

tion efforts regarding fisheries  have mainly  focused on production (e.g., estimating catches and 

dedicated effort)  and  environmental  and biological  dimensions (Berg  &  Kaiser,  2017). Micro- 

data on the social  and economic characteristics of households  involved in fishing activities are, 

however, particularly limited due,  in part, to  difficulties involved in reaching the  many fishing 

communities that are located  in isolated areas (Kolding et al.,  2014).2. This study contributes to 

the literature on small- scale fisheries by looking at available micro- level data on small- scale fish-

eries contained in  nationally representative household surveys  in 11 developing countries, and 

analyzing the data in relation to poverty and food security.3.

The literature  (Béné, 2003; Thorpe  et al.,  2007) on fisheries  has debated  the role of  fishing 

as a  livelihood strategy  for the  poor. Some  early studies  (Bailey &  Jentoft, 1990;  Copes, 1989; 

Cunningham, 1994; FAO, 2009; Gordon, 1954) suggested that the poorest households relied more 

on  common  resources such  as  fishery  and  forestry  due  to  their  open  access  nature,  and  that 

fishing activities  and the overexploitation of  common resources are among  the main causes  of 

poverty among fishing households. Alternative analyses have pointed out that fishing can be part 

of a livelihood diversification strategy involving the broader community and relatively wealthier 

households (Béné & Obirih- Opareh, 2009; Garaway, 2005; Kremer, 1994). According to this view, 

fishing is more than simply a last resort for the poor. Smith et al. (2005) have shown that fishing 

can play very different roles in the livelihoods of rural people. Specialization fishing is relatively 

less frequent,  and many  households engage in  fishing as  part of  farm- centered,  complex, and 

diverse livelihoods.  Moreover,  Martin et al.  (2013) show how participation in  fishing is highly 

compatible with farming, the frequent case of fish- farmers who are able to diversify their income 

sources.

More recently, the debate has  developed a more nuanced vision of  the relationship between 

fishing and poverty, according to which poverty among fishing communities relates not so strictly 

to the  resources available to them, but  to various aspects  such as the  inadequateness of public 

services, low levels of education, the absence of social protection schemes, and issues of political 

representation (Béné et al., 2007).  Indeed, poverty can be found in remote fishing communities 

with relatively high catch volumes but low access to health, education, and other public services. 

Furthermore, fish  has been  recognized as  an important  source of  nutrients  in a  healthy diet. 

The availability of high- nutritional content food among low- income communities  in developing 

countries can be  an important  factor in  reducing malnutrition  and food  insecurity. However, 

empirical evidence, based on hard data,  is scarce. Several studies relying on geographically lim-

ited  socioeconomic  data  present  contrasting evidence  (Allison,  2004;  Herrin  &  Racelis,  1994; 

Teh & Sumaila, 2007; Tietze et al., 2000). This study contributes to the literature by  analyzing a