Two-Stage Hedonic Price Analysis of Fish Attributes Around Lake Victoria, Tanzania

Abstract

Landing price analysis of fish attributes remain undisclosed during the fish harvest landing to landing sites, although it is potential to the wellbeing of artisanal fisher. This study employed a cross-sectional research design and 289 artisanal fishers sampled to investigate fish attributes on landing prices around Lake Victoria, Tanzania, for selected fish species: Nile perch, Tilapia and Sardine species. Two-stage hedonic price model employed in the analysis. The results showed that freshness at island, quantity landed at island market, size, preserved fish, weight and freshness at mainland landing ground were examined to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) fish attributes affecting landing price of fishes. This study concluded that, important fish attributes influencing landing price were fish freshness on the island and mainland, quantity landed at onshore island market, preserved fish, weight and size. Therefore, artisanal fishers should join together and form cooperatives to improve preservation methods to maintain quality of fish attributes and use modern storage facilities to maintain freshness of the fish and employ fishing vessels that catch legally authorized fish size.