Analysis of economic determinants for households involvement in fishing for livelihoods in Coastal villages of Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

Masters Dissertation

This study was undertaken to analyse economic determinants for households involvement in fishing for livelihoods in coastal villages of Bagamoyo District. Specifically, trend in the number of fishers for ten years in coastal villages were determined, factors influencing household decision to be involved in fishing were examined and household income structure was analysed. Three villages were randomly selected and thirty households were randomly selected from each village. Primary data were collected through questionnaire, checklist and Focused Group Discussion. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis while quantitative data were analysed by descriptive statistics, binary logistic model and ANOVA. Results indicate the trend on the number of fishers was increasing over the years. Binary logistic model result reveal significant factors that were negatively influencing households decision to be involved in fishing at p<0.05 are alternative income generating activities, access to credit, land size, organisation participation and education while household size had positive influence. Perceived influential factors were family business, available fish market, short time of earning income, small initial capital and free access of water bodies. Furthermore, results show that 72.2% of the households’ were involved in fishing. Results showed that fishing was the major source of income to household as it contributes (45.3%) to overall households income which is greater than income from other sources, which are wage labour agriculture and petty business. Overall annual average income was 1 065 420 per household whereby fishing had larger mean (TZS 482 220) than other income sources. ANOVA results indicate average annual income from fishing per household was statistically significant higher than other sources at p<0.05. The study concludes that alternative income sources, income from available sources and credit access are key areas for concern. The study recommends promotion of alternative income generating activities, accessible credit facilities and encourages organisations formation.