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Voodoo versus fishing committees: the role of traditional and contemporary institutions in fisheries management

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  • Elena Briones Alonso
  • Romain Houssa
  • Marijke Verpoorten

Abstract

We study the co-existence of two community-based institutions for fisheries management in Benin: a traditional institution embedded in the Voodoo religion and a recent secular institution in the form of fishing committees. Using household survey data on fishing activities, we find that rules of both institutions have a statistically significant but small impact on the use of unsustainable fishing gear. We further find that Voodoo fishers who break the traditional Voodoo-based rule follow the fishing committee rule to the same extent as other fishers. This finding is consistent with a possible transition from the traditional Voodoo-based institution to the secular fishing committee institution. More research is needed to fully assess the effectiveness of, and interactions between, the two institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Briones Alonso & Romain Houssa & Marijke Verpoorten, 2015. "Voodoo versus fishing committees: the role of traditional and contemporary institutions in fisheries management," Working Papers of LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance 488069, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:licosp:488069
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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel Yeboah-Assiamah & Kobus Muller & Kwame Ameyaw Domfeh, 2018. "‘Complex crisis’ and the rise of collaborative natural resource governance: institutional trajectory of a wildlife governance experience in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(5), pages 2205-2224, October.
    2. Neha Deopa & Daniele Rinaldo, 2023. "Sacred Ecology," Papers 2401.13673, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2025.
    3. Alidou, Sahawal & Verpoorten, Marijke, 2019. "Only women can whisper to gods: Voodoo, menopause and women’s autonomy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 40-54.
    4. Kaplan,Oliver Ross, 2022. "Superstitions and Civilian Displacement : Evidence from the Colombian Conflict," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10023, The World Bank.
    5. 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.
    6. Fabio Zagonari, 2020. "Comparing Religious Environmental Ethics to Support Efforts to Achieve Local and Global Sustainability: Empirical Insights Based on a Theoretical Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-36, March.

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