Socio-economic and ecological determinants in wetland fisheries in the Yala Swamp

Abstract

Wetland fisheries provide a fundamental economic activities for wetland populations and surrounding population centres. In the Yala swamp, on the Kenyan coast of Lake Victoria, fishing is among the most important income earning activities for the local community, with average incomes nearly four times those attainable in agriculture. The fishery is also regarded as the highest supplier of animal protein in the area. In the present analysis, we examine the determinants of fish catch levels in the Yala swamp using socioeconomics, ecological, and fish catch data from of ten landing beaches within Yala swamp and along the shores of Lake Victoria. Descriptive statistics were used to understand the socio-economics characteristics of fishers who utilize the Yala swamp system. A CobbDouglas production function was used to establish the factors that influence fish catch levels. The results show that household size, household income, length of boat, total phosphorus and total nitrogen are correlated positively with fish catch. Negative correlations with the level of nitrates, chlorophyll-a, and educational level and age of the fisher were also found. The challenge for policy makers regarding wetland fisheries is how to involve the local fishermen in the sustainable management of fishery resources within the integrated management of all the wetland resources.

Determinants of income diversification among fishing communities in Western Kenya

“…Since omena fish is the second most important income earner in Lake Victoria fisheries after Nile perch (Mwakubo et al, 2007), the income-substitution effect argument may also apply to omena. As a result, the positive effect of percent of omena in the fish enterprise may be because the income effect (due to more participation in omena fishing or trade) is greater than the substitution effect.…”

High genetic diversity and population differentiation in Clarias gariepinus of Yala Swamp: evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences

“…Fishing in the satellite lakes is the main activity of the local community (Aloo, ; Mwakubo et al , ), with overfishing being reported in the two lakes (Aloo, ). Despite daily fishing expeditions in the satellite lakes, however, fisheries data are reported only for Lake Kanyaboli.…”

“…Generally, C. gariepinus is an important predator in the ecosystem (Corbet, 1961) and in the satellite lakes of the Yala Swamp, the species is also exploited for human food, as bait for the L. niloticus long-line fishery in Lake Victoria and as brood stock for commercial aquaculture by the local community. 2559 Fishing in the satellite lakes is the main activity of the local community (Aloo, 2003;Mwakubo et al, 2007), with overfishing being reported in the two lakes (Aloo, 2003). Despite daily fishing expeditions in the satellite lakes, however, fisheries data are reported only for Lake Kanyaboli.…”

“…In fish species, small populations may arise from the physical size of the aquatic habitat, anthropogenic activities such as overexploitation of the fish species, habitat destruction and fragmentation and the introduction of alien species. The relative abundance of a fish population in a fishery, however, is a function of catch per unit effort (Mwakubo et al , ), which is often unknown in data deficient fisheries. These factors affect the demographic dynamics of a population (Laroche & Durand, ) and consequently the genetic diversity of the population.…”

Classical Fisheries Theory and Inland (Floodplain) Fisheries Management; Is there Need for a Paradigm Shift? Lessons from the Okavango Delta, Botswana

“…These fisheries are also the mainstay of livelihoods in Asia and South America. The fisheries of the Yala swamp (in Kenya's coastal area of Lake Victoria) are a major source of income to its riparian community, and income derived from fishing is estimated to be four times the agricultural income [33]. Generally, African inland fisheries provide employment to several people [20].…”