Small-scale fisheries account for 90% of employment in capture fisheries worldwide (FAO, WorldFish & Duke, 2023). In Malawi, small-scale fisheries play a key role in food security and livelihoods by providing nutritious, affordable foods and a variety of employment opportunities via participation in the fish value chain (Cooke et al. 2021). Fish trade plays a key part in the functioning of the fish value chain and is especially important because of the high level of female participation (Manyungwa et al. 2019). Despite the importance of fish trade, fisheries research has primarily focused on harvest activities and has neglected actors in the broader fish value chain including processors, logistics providers, wholesalers, and retailers (Smith & Basurto, 2019). Consequently, fish retailers have been understudied, resulting in knowledge gaps regarding fish retailers' livelihoods. This thesis fills this gap by assessing variation in livelihood outcomes for fish retailers in Malawi.This thesis utilizes a mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to understand variation in livelihood outcomes for fish retailers in Malawi. First, econometric modeling is conducted in StataIC using market survey data to explore which variables influence marketing margins and net daily profit for fish retailers. Second, qualitative focus group data are assessed in Nvivo to offer insight into retailer's decision-making and to provide a more nuanced understanding of fish retailer's challenges, specifically considering issues of complex gender dynamics and price volatility. By bringing qualitative focus group data into conversation with econometric analyses, this mixed-methods approach provides a detailed understanding of the drivers of variation in livelihood outcomes for fish retailers in Malawi.
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