Actors, distribution circuits and marketing of fish on Bandama River (Cte dIvoire)

This study was carried out on lower Bandama River between July 2013 and June 2014. For this study, a daily monitoring of fish marketing activities and a repeat-pass survey of fish sellers and their marketing technique in selected localities were performed. The results of this work have shown that sales of fish on the Bandama River are ensured by at least 65 fish sellers (42 Ivorians and 23 foreigners). They are mostly young people at Tiassale and N'Zianouan and older at Singrobo. They are largely illiterates and we can notice wholesalers, intermediate and retailers. The fish is mostly sold fresh. The transformation of the product is done by traditional smoking exclusively by women. The distribution of fish is done in two circuits: short circuit (in the same locality) and a long circuit (between cities). This market is hampered by the poor roads, lack of adequate means of preservation of the product during transport and random fixing of selling prices.   Key words: Fish wholesalers, commercialisation, artisanal fishing, fish products, Bandama River, Ivory Coast.