Collective ownership in the South African small-scale fishing sector: a framework for sustained economic growth

The thesis tested the notion of collective ownership in the small-scale fisheries sector, as advocated by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the South African government department responsible for fisheries administration. More specifically, it examined the conditions under which collective ownership would yield economic benefits to small-scale fishers. This was done according to three constructs, i.e. collective entrepreneurship, agency theory and value chain development. In testing the study’s presuppositions, a sequential qualitative-quantitative mixed methods research methodology was used. Data were gathered through focus group discussions, individual interviews and surveys with fishers from South Africa’s Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces. Qualitative data were analysed through the constant comparative approach preliminary outcomes thereof were used to devise the quantitative instruments, which were analysed with the SPSS statistical package. The outcomes of the quantitative data analysis were then discussed with key participants to validate the findings and to ensure overall congruency. In the current value chain dispensation, small-scale fishers realise approximately 38% of overall revenue accrual, whereas the remaining 62% is realised by fish-processing establishments and exporters. The value chain requires reconfiguration to progressively enable small-scale fishers to own and control all upstream and downstream catch, processing and marketing processes. In addition, greater value can be realised when all regulatory, catch, processing and marketing processes are efficiently aligned with local and export market requirements. The findings note that small-scale fishers require developmental support to exploit opportunities. The study suggests that the required support should be facilitated through a dedicated multi- and interdisciplinary fisheries institute located at a higher education institution. This institute needs to focus on training, advisory services and research, as well as on defined support for the fisheries co-operatives. Moreover, the impact of the envisaged institute provides for the establishment of localised fishing community information centres, located near coastal fishing communities, harbours and slipways. Such centres ought to improve communications, trust-building relations and shared expertise among all actors, namely small-scale fishers, their co-operatives, the various government departments, industrial associations, non-governmental organisations, agencies and all others implicated, to maximise benefit and effectively secure government’s infrastructural investment programme within the small-scale fisheries sector