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To fish or not to fish? Resource degradation and income diversification in Benin

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  • Stoop, Nik
  • Houssa, Romain
  • Verpoorten, Marijke

Abstract

The authors study the impact of natural resource degradation on income diversification in Beninese fishing communities. Using survey data and econometric analysis, they show that fishermen are more likely to diversify their income when the degradation of the fish stock is more severe. However, the level of income diversification that they find is surprisingly low and far from sufficient to relieve the stress on the lakes. The latter relates to low levels of formal education among fishermen and the unregulated use of highly productive, but damaging, fishing gear. These two factors result in a high return to fishing relative to non-fishing activities, even amid degradation.

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  • Stoop, Nik & Houssa, Romain & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2016. "To fish or not to fish? Resource degradation and income diversification in Benin," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(5), pages 669-689, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:endeec:v:21:y:2016:i:05:p:669-689_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Sètondji Ben-Vital Kolawolé Kpanou & Houinsou Dedehouanou & Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou & Augustin K. N. Aoudji & Thomas Dogot, 2021. "Factors Influencing Small-Scale Fishers’ Individual Perceived Wellbeing Satisfaction in Southern Benin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Houssa, Romain & Swinnen, Johan & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2014. "Reviving Benin's shrimp export sector: the need for an integrated approach," IOB Analyses & Policy Briefs 7, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    3. Avery Cole & Xuan Chen, 2021. "Off‐farm employment in aquaculture: A case study of New England's oyster growers," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 69(3), pages 369-382, September.
    4. Briones Alonso, Elena & Houssa, Romain & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2016. "Voodoo versus fishing committees: The role of traditional and contemporary institutions in fisheries management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 61-70.
    5. Houssa, Romain & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2015. "The Unintended Consequence of an Export Ban: Evidence from Benin’s Shrimp Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 138-150.

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