Economic Importance of Undervalued Fish Species

Abstract

This study considers the economic significance of undervalued fish species in Zanzibar, with an emphasis on their roles in livelihood, food security, and the wider fisheries sector. Although Zanzibar’s fishery is traditionally concentrated on well-known high-value export species, many of the daily catches are less known, low-value species that also feed coastal communities to bring in some income and nutrition. Through a comprehensive systematic literature review, this study indicates that these species support artisanal fishers while increasing the resilience of households in particular and the affordability of protein supply for poor consumers. However, undervalued species are marginalized because of their low demand, poor post-harvest management, and low policy recognition. The results reveal that the enhanced processing, value addition, market diversification, and gender integration of value chains with women in the drying, smoking, and retail sectors may considerably increase their economic potential. The study also highlights the environmental contribution by advancing undervalued species in reducing fishing pressure on overexploited commercial stocks and sustaining resource use. It recommends that with targeted interventions, better institutional support, and incorporating them into Zanzibar’s blue economy policies, undervalued fish species could become a crucial driver of socioeconomic development and sustainable fishery management in the long term.