Analysis of constraints and opportunities in marine small-scale fisheries value chain: A multi-criteria decision approach

Abstract Small-Scale Fisheries (SSFs) globally and in Kenya face myriad constraints. However, there is little empirical information about actors' perspectives of these constraints and proposed solutions. The present study contributes to addressing this empirical gap. The study was conducted in Kenya's coast at Malindi, Mayungu, Mombasa, Shimoni and Vanga study sites. Data was collected through focus group discussions and supplemented by interviews of 403 actors (fishers, middlemen and small-scale processors). Constraints and opportunities were ranked using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method and reported under nine broad value chain dimensions. Results showed that all actor groups ranked financial capital as the most severe constraint. Market related constraints were ranked as the second most pressing problem amongst fishers and middlemen, while processors identified scarcity of fish. Other constraints identified, were related to resource, equipment and infrastructure, training, costs, governance, trust and labour dimensions. Solutions were ranked in corresponding order of constraints, except in a few cases. These findings can assist to bridge actors' perspectives with those of managers and other value chain development agents, and thus help to define appropriate interventions.