Supply Chain Analysis for Fresh Seafood in Haiti

The paper describes inland and marine fisheries in Haiti, the boats and gear in use, the main species harvested (queen conch, lobster, shrimp, crab, sea cucumbers and reef fish), exports, and the seafood marketing chain from fishers to middlemen and markets. Marine fisheries are entirely artisanal, support about 50,000 fishers in 400 communities, and lose more than 40 percent of the catch after harvest because of limited ice and refrigeration.

Using a stakeholder analysis, a problem tree and an objective tree, the author identifies an inefficient fish supply chain as the focal problem, driven by weak fisheries management, poor handling, inefficient processing and preservation, and inefficient marketing. Efficient fish marketing is chosen as the strategy, with training of local fisheries staff, a marketing team, a processing center, a logistics unit and attention to gender equity. The recommendations call for fish quality and safety standards including HACCP and traceability, a stronger role for the fisheries department in research and extension, fisher community participation, and ice machines and generators in fishing communities.