Survival at a cost: how artisanal fishers perceive occupational hazards in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Abstract

Fishing is regarded as an important livelihood activity in any riparian communities. People’s attitudes and perceptions of occupational risks associated with fishing are engendered by certain socio-cultural norms. This study, therefore, analyses some factors, which in fluence artisanal fishers ‘perceptions of occupational hazards in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. A case study design was used to sample opinions from 48fishers in Shakawe community. Semi-structured interview schedules and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi square (X2) were used to summarize the data and test the associations between fishers’ perceptions of occupational hazards and nominal variables, respectively. Findings show that the commonest injuries associated with fishing activities included fish bone pricks (36.3%), body injury and traumas due to accidental fall into the river (20.5%), which could lead to dangerous animal attacks, and snake or fish bite (4.3%). The commonest accident identified was boat capsize, which most fishers (61.4%) linked with non-adherence to cultural taboos or lack of experience. Attesting to their low level of risk-aversion or perhaps high desperations arising from socio-economic demands, most respondents (97.7%) strongly agreed that a fisher must be willing to risk their lives for their families (56.8%), even though fishing is a hazardous occupation (65.5%). A strong association existed between fishers ‘perceptions about occupational hazards and their marital status, years of fishing experience, income, number of dependants, access to fishing information and risk acceptance.