SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF FISHING BY RESIDENTS OF AHÉMÉLAKE IN REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Abstract

This research shows the social representations of fishing within the populations of “AhéméLake”. A total of 176 people aged 29.37± 4.54 years and from 7 socio-professional categories (fishermen, fishmongers, elected representatives, members of NGOs, members of development associations, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery and Traditional chief) was taken into account for a semi-directive interview. It appears from the processing of the collected data that the social representation of the fishermen ''put gears and catch many fish'' and that of other subjects, ''sustainable protection of the lake and its species'' are convergent, because to take fish sustainably, one have to protect the lake. Moreover, it emerges from this work that residents who live directly from the exploitation of the lake are those who by their behaviour contribute more to its degradation. They have themselves acknowledged their responsibility for the problems in their environment and have asked other people involved in the management of the site to use their expertise to help them give back to the lake, its former functions. Nostalgic of the past, the traditional chiefs meanwhile, have said that beyond all, the restoration of the deities that once protected the lake is necessary for its rehabilitation. In this perspective, all populations must embark on a new foundation.