Ethiopia: comprehensive support for fisheries development in Ethiopia

03/18/2021 Ethiopia



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Planet Earth

BY GETACHEW MINAS

The development of fish farming in Ethiopia, where the population frequently faces a deficit of animal protein, is promising. Bodies of water located in the Rift Valley show signs of overexploitation, while those located in remote areas with poor infrastructure and that make up the majority of rivers, lakes and reservoirs, remain underutilized. Aquaculture is also constrained by weak institutional capacity, poorly organized fishermen’s associations, lack of a reliable data collection system, remoteness of fishing areas, lack of basic infrastructure and equipment, degradation of natural resources and limited funds to implement the country’s activities. plans and programs.

Ethiopia is home to a fisheries sector whose main distinguishing characteristics are its low level of exploitation and insufficient vital infrastructure. The country has great potential for fish production. However, annual per capita fish consumption is very low, with beef being the main source of animal protein throughout the country. Fresh fish is consumed primarily in the areas surrounding the Great Rift Valley, which contains a small to medium-sized lake system.

Lake Tana is the largest body of water in the country, with potential for fishing. Studies indicate that it is the leading lake in fisheries production, representing a large proportion of the country’s water resources. However, the lake is infested with non-lake vegetation. It takes an incredible amount of material, financial and human resources to eliminate it. Almost all employees of the public administration, public companies and the private sector have participated physically and emotionally to clean Lake Tana of the green vegetation found in parts of the lake, which is a threat to fishing.

Studies indicated that insufficient institutional and managerial capacity, resource allocation, and limited investment have depressed fish production. In addition, a poor regulatory and regulatory framework and insufficient value chain and fish marketing infrastructure are some of the cross-sectoral challenges affecting fisheries in Ethiopia. At the same time, there are opportunities to increase the global social and economic value of fish. The slow but real increase in demand for fish and fishery products is an opportunity for further development and intra-regional trade. Despite favorable conditions, adequate geographic relief, rich soil quality, good average annual rainfall, and sufficient fresh water availability, aquaculture production is negligible in Ethiopia.

Recreational fishing has not yet been adopted as an important form of recreation by people. Various species of freshwater fish are found in Ethiopian waters, in which several local species have been identified. However, only a few of those species make up the majority of the catch, of which tilapia is the main one. A considerable amount of Nile perch is caught in large rivers and lakes and it is becoming increasingly rare, as it is preferred by consumers. Catfish make up the next largely caught, in terms of scope and magnitude. Experts have identified a total of more than 100 different species of fish, both indigenous and exotic, that inhabit Ethiopian waters. Significant variations in catches are obtained, in terms of quantity and types of species, which vary with the seasons.

Although fishing takes place in all Ethiopian waters, most of the catch comes from the Great Lakes, whose percentage contribution to national fish production is high. But the production is not enough for the Ethiopian population which is growing rapidly over time. The amount of fish caught is low due to the primitive nature of the fishery. Anglers use a variety of equipment, including traditional traps and spears, nets, hooks, traps, and devices. The boat that is used is, generally, wooden or steel boats, motorized or non-motorized, rod or raft. Most fishing boats are made of papyrus or scrap. In some of the Rift Valley lakes, canoes have been gradually replaced by wooden paddles, while most fishermen use one-man rafts.

Although the boats have a very limited carrying capacity, they provide the fisherman with the desired access to the lakes at an affordable cost. Additionally, motorized boats that allow fishermen to operate across the water are available primarily on the Great Lakes. Also, wooden rowboats are mainly used on smaller lakes. The predominant material and equipment used in fishing is the net with the largest mesh sizes for catching large fish. Beach views are popular, especially on religious fast days when people eat fish. Traditional fishermen collect fish with nets and hooks. A study revealed that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, in its development projects, has provided fishing equipment repair and maintenance facilities with a women’s training and fishing net manufacturing unit on Lake Tana.

The waters of Ethiopia are classified into four systems and these are lakes, reservoirs, rivers and small bodies of water. Diverse aquatic life, ranging from microscopic flora and fauna to the giant hippopotamus, inhabit lakes and rivers. The rich natural fauna includes several species of fish. Important fishing resources originate from these waters. It is believed that more than half of the potential annual fish production is caught. Ethiopia’s fishing grounds consist of the Great Rift Valley lakes Chamo, Abaya, Ziway and the northern part of Lake Turkana; Lake Tana, which is the largest lake in the country; numerous rivers; and smaller water bodies, including reservoirs and natural water bodies.

The government employs regulatory measures in the management of Ethiopia’s inland water resources, aimed at optimal exploitation of fisheries. But compliance and enforcement are far from satisfactory. The law imposes regulations against bad fishing practices and gives guidelines on the recovery of fish populations. At the federal level, fisheries management legislation provides general guidelines related to resource conservation, food security, and aquaculture. It also places a strong emphasis on fishing regulation, fishing permits and the need for fisheries inspection, as well as reflecting the need for fishery products to conform to standards.

Following in the footsteps of federal legislation, regional administrations are expected to use the enactment as a framework for formulating their fisheries management proclamations. Studies show that only a few regions have developed their respective laws that contain provisions similar to the federal one. However, they have included additional measures related to the creation of employment opportunities in fisheries. They also articulated the need for research in fisheries, with the requirement to take advantage of the results of the findings to the fishermen. However, the ineffective organization of the administration and the lack of experience have led to poor economic performance based on research work in fisheries.