An attempt was made to determine the attitudes towards fishing profession. The respondents were asked whether they wish to continue in the fishing profession or whether they would prefer to leave it. Further they were asked whether they wish that their son/s pursue the same profession or choose another one. While 60.6% of trimaran crew members stated that they wish to stay with the profession only 34.2% would like to see their son/s to pursue the same profession. On the other hand, 53.3% of the traditional fishermen stated that they wish to leave it and pursue other interests. Figures 30 and 31 provide further details.
Figure 30: Attitudes towards fishing
Figure 31: Attitudes towards son/s profession.
During our survey each respondent was asked to identify the main problems which affect his operation. On the basis of responses received six main categories of problems were identified as follows: (1) canoe and gear theft; (2) low and irregular captures; (3) low revenues; (4) high cost and availability of gear; (5) other problems; and (6) no problems. Figure 32 now details these six categories by stratum.
While there are some differences in each stratum it is apparent that the main identified problem is canoe and gear theft. The second identified problem, mainly in the third and fourth strata, was the low and irregular captures; this is quite understandable due to the seasonal nature of this fishery. Interestingly, in the seventh stratum, about 35% of all respondents claimed no problems. It should be stated, however, that the recent developments and subsequent socio-economic problems and hardships facing both countries result in lack of basis commodities and therefore continuous price increases. For example, the price of kerosene, an essential necessity for trimarans operation, almost tripled over the last ten months.
Figure 32: Main identified problems, by stratum.
There are significant differences in identified problems facing two types of fisheries i.e. trimaran fishery and traditional fishery. In trimaran fishery three main problem categories were identified as follows: (1) the price and availability of gear (26.6%); (2) low and irregular catches (25.1%); and (3) availability of kerosene (17.1%). On the other hand, the main problems facing the traditional fishery are canoe and gear theft (52.7%), followed by low revenues (11.4). Interestingly, the traditional fishermen claim to have less problems (15.5%) than trimaran fishermen (8%). Figure 33 provides further details.
Figure 33: Main identified problems by type of fishery.
