The guide told me that the families have a kind of fishing network, similar to what our fishing villages have in our fishing towns. That is, the men go out fishing for 12-14 hours each day, about 12 to a boat, while the wives (and often each man has multiple wives. Catholics and Muslims practice polygamy) receive and process the previous day's catch. Then more family members transport the fish to markets as far and wide as they can get it, before returning for the next day's shipment. A family might make 10,000 CFA per a really good fishing/selling day, which is about $20 per day. Another guide told me the average vendor, in the markets and tourist areas makes about $150 per month.
I don't think I will ever forget that smell from the fish market. My stomach was not all that strong most of the vacation(thank goodness for Immodium), but that smell whoooooo!
However, you couldn't help be fascinated by all the different stalls and fish and fish parts and shells and fabrics and colors, what a melange for the senses! Also, according to the guide, it was the end of the business day (5-ish), on a probably bad day for fishing, so the people had not made much money for all their work. As we were arriving many boats were going back out to fish all night.
