Occasional Paper

Fishing for Sustainable Livelihoods in Angola: The Co-operative Approach

“This paper focuses on the fisheries sector in Angola. In particular, it considers the potential role for co-operatives in artisanal fisheries governance in Angola. The paper begins by situating fisheries governance within wider theories of natural resource governance. It then outlines the international context of fisheries governance, and in particular, artisanal fisheries worldwide. It then describes
Angola’s fish stocks and regulatory environment, before focusing on co-operatives in Angola’s artisanal fishing sector. The paper concludes that fisheries co-operatives’ greatest governance contribution is the way in which they can enhance local–national linkages. This
happens as a previously informal sector gradually formalises. Throughout the process, it is important to respect and support the unique institutional characteristics of co-operatives.”