Title: Assessment of revenue collection in Malawian small-scale fisheries: a case of Mangochi district
Abstract
Kelvin Mkwinda's final project will be published in due time. Until then we share the abstract and a link to a poster.
The study assessed the performance of the revenue collection structure used in small-scale fisheries in Mangochi District, Malawi. It focused on identifying sources of revenue from the fisheries sector, determining revenue collection gaps, and examining the role of enforcement in improving revenue outcomes. Primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through key informant interviews with six purposively selected participants from the District Fisheries Office. Data were analysed using thematic analysis in NVivo 14 and MS-Excel 2015. The research employed a comprehensive assessment involving trend analysis in fishing gear usage, challenges, and opportunities, determining a plausible revenue collection mechanism and ensuring the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources. Findings revealed that 99% of total revenue originates from gear licences, while sanitary permits contribute only 1%. Despite this, revenue collection consistently fell short of targets between 2014 and 2022, with deficits ranging from 35.59% to 45.31%. In contrast, 2023 saw a 269% achievement of the revenue target, attributed to increased enforcement efforts that compelled more fishers to pay license fees. The widespread use of illegal fishing gear among small-scale fishers was identified as a major loophole, contributing to significant losses and necessitating the exploration of alternative mechanisms. The study recommends policy actions to improve revenue collection, including diversifying revenue streams, adjusting licence fees, and integrating fisheries revenue collection into existing District Council systems. Strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, establishing regulatory frameworks to operationalise new revenue streams, and addressing illegal fishing and corruption are also essential. These measures aim to enhance the effectiveness of revenue collection and support sustainable fisheries management in Mangochi District.