An analysis of the livelihoods of Lake Edward fisher communities

Abstract

This paper presents results of Lake Edward fishing communities’ livelihoods analysis and goes further to highlight livelihood options that the respondents preferred to engage in. The research was based on the notion that creating livelihood options would help to reduce fisher’s over-dependency on the fishery resources and ensure sustainable fisheries management. Fishing has been contributing up to 80% of fishers’ incomes, although over 74% indicated that fish catches had declined over the last two years. All respondents lacked appropriate skills to engage in activities that were compatible with the national park sanctuaries. Most respondents also owned low value assets, most of which were not used for production. The study recommends building capacities of fishers to engage in livelihoods that are compatible with the national park sanctuaries like bee keeping and mushroom production and also training in areas of intensive agricultural practices.