Paper short abstract:

The paper explores the extent to which entrepreneurial African immigrants in the artisanal fisheries degrade the coastal environment in the city of Pointe-Noire (Congo-Brazzaville). The results suggest pervasive destructive practices in the sustainability of terrestrial and marine resources.

Paper long abstract:

A consensus has emerged from past research that immigrants' sources-use and extraction strategies result in negative environmental impacts such as widespread resource depletion. Direct causality, however, cannot be clearly established. Building on previous works, this paper explores this issue by investigating immigrants involved in artisanal fisheries and their modes of incorporation of immigrants in space and in transactional markets. This is critical in understanding the ecological impact of space occupancy and fishing practices. The paper addresses the following questions: How do migrants' spatial behaviours ensure ecological sustainability of their space for livelihoods? Are their practices destructive in extracting marine resources? Are the patterns of resources extraction determined by the modes of incorporation into a particular sector of the fishing economy and the demands of the markets? Are destructive practices regulated and addressed in local governance?

The geographical context of the paper is the coastal city of Pointe-Noire in Congo-Brazzaville. A mix research methods approach was used to generate longitudinal data. The results suggest strong incorporation in the local fishing economy. It is however observed weak social ties with the local context. There are persistent behaviours in the destruction of the terrestrial environment as a result of expansionist behaviours in informal land occupancy. Associated with the occupancy, the beach and marine waters are polluted (plastics, human waste, metallic pollutants, household waste. The connections with Asian markets have given rise to destructive marine resources extraction (shark finning). In sum, the ecological system is exploited to extreme because of weaknesses in public regulation.