Management and livelihood opportunity of Lake Tana fishery, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture plays vital role in Ethiopian economy. However, despite its importance and potential, the sector has remained at subsistence level. Animal protein is the most deficient nutrient in human diet. One of the traditional sources of animal protein of the developing world is through livestock rearing. Unfortunately, the livestock production is under increasing pressure from the combined effects of human population growth, shortage of grazing land and expanding desertification. Therefore, it is important to look for a better and cheap, alternative source of animal protein that is environmentally friendly. One of the alternative sources of animal protein could be fish farming and effective and sustainable utilization of existing potential fish resource. Ethiopia is endowed with over 7,400 km2 of lakes and reservoirs and 7,000 km of rivers with total annual production potential estimated 51,481 metric tone. Of this total potential, Lake Tana could contribute more than half of the estimate. With the aim of utilization of this potential and to increase its contribution to the national economy, fishery extension has been initiated and the modern fishing technology has been introduced in mid 1980’s. However, the country’s fishery resource is still underdeveloped and its contribution to the economy is negligible. This study has attempted to examine socio-economic and institutional factors influencing fishery resource utilization of Lake Tana. For the study, both primary and secondary data were used. Stratified random sampling method was employed to select 150 sample households. A total of 120 respondents gave adequate information out of 150 questionnaires administered in the community. The required primary data were collected through interviews using structured questionnaire. Of 120 sample respondents 59 and 41 percent’s were organized fishermen and non-organized fishermen, respectively. Results indicated education, training and credit access were significantly influenced fish resource utilization. The finding of the study revealed that, improving educational level, training on fishery resource management and utilization, access to credit, establishment of sustainable market, construction of roads and expansion of sea transportation system would promote fish resource utilization.