The socioeconomics of small scale fisheries based on Eastern side of Lake Abaya, Ethiopia

Abstract

Socioeconomic survey was conducted on small scale fisheries based on eastern side of Lake Abaya, Ethiopia. Assessment on Fish catch composition and health were made on selected landing site. In addition house hold surveys were made on selected kebeles (villages) to examine the degree of dependency on the fishery resources. The result indicated that a total of 4 species were encountered during catch assessment study and all are commercially important and; these are tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) representing 68% and 39% of the catch, catfish (Clarias gariepinus) representing 24% and 38% of the catch, Silver catfish (Bagrus docmac) representing 3% and 8% and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) representing 5% and 15% of the catch in number and biomass respectively. Comparison of average body length of fish at harvest with the average length at first age of maturity (Lm) revealed that less fishing pressure was observed in the first three fish species while Nile perch showed higher fishing pressure. Fishing techniques are overwhelmingly artisan where fishermen use non motorized wooden boats and employ gillnets of varying net size and hook and line. The estimated Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is 26.65kg/net. Majority of the households (62.8%) were obtaining their income both from agriculture and fishing. In single terms fishing is an important source of livelihood (30.2%) compared with agriculture (7%). The mean annual fish consumption per capita for the sample respondents was 2.72 kg quite higher than the national figure (0.476kg). Owning to their significant contribution to livelihood and house food security small scale fisheries in the study area deserves better attention like other agricultural activities.