The contribution of the livelihood assets of artisanal fisheries to household livelihoods in Zanzibar islands, Tanzania

This paper reports on the contribution of the artisanal fisheries livelihood assets to household livelihoods in the five fishing villages from Zanzibar Islands, namely; Kizimkazi Dimbani, Chwaka, Unguja Ukuu Kaepwani, Tumbe Mashariki and Michenzani. Cross-sectional research design was employed to generate quantitative data through a household survey and qualitative data were drawn through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews. Data were drawn from a sample of 333 artisanal fishers who were obtained from the 1991 population through the Yamane formula. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to perform a chi-square test and binary logistic analysis to assess the association between the livelihood assets of artisanal fisheries and household livelihoods. Results of this study found that the livelihood assets of artisanal fisheries had a statistical association with household livelihoods and the majority of artisanal fishers (79.28%) fall under low household livelihoods outcomes. It has been found that high household livelihood was significantly associated with artisanal fishers who use fibber boats (p=0.0066), motorized fishing vessels (p=0.0409), acquired formal fishing knowledge and skills (p=0.0277), and those fishers who were members of fisher’s cooperatives (p=0.0059). It is therefore recommended that the respective government in collaboration with other fisheries stakeholders, address these factors when designing the intervention for improving the artisanal fisheries that will improve the household livelihoods of the artisanal fishers.