The Contribution of Fisheries to Livelihoods of Communities around Alwero Reservoir in Abobo District, Gambella, Ethiopia

Abstract

This research was planned to study the contribution of fishing and fishery-related activities, and identify its threats. Primary data were collected from the Kano locality around the Alwero reservoir through a questionnaire survey, field observation, and Focus Group Discussions. Both purposive and simple random sampling procedures were adopted in this study. The result revealed that fisheries and fish-related activities are benefiting the society as a source of employment opportunities, income, provision of food that is rich in nutrients (protein), reliable household income (average annual household income contributed by fishing and fish-related activities being 611.8 USD and 69.3 USD, respectively). Besides, the result also indicated that fishing is being performed by less experienced people, who are using traditional fishing gear and preservation methods, and there is also a serious problem of overexploitation. The regression result indicated that fish price and preservation techniques have affected the average annual household income significantly. The study provided more information on the importance of fishing and its related activities to a household in the Kano locality at Abobo district. It identified overfishing as the major anthropogenic activity threatening the fish abundance and diversity in the reservoir.

Current fishery status in Ethiopian reservoirs: challenges and management

“…When a fish dies, however, its defensive mechanisms are disabled, and enzymatic, oxidative, and microbiological spoilage begin to degrade the quality of the fish (Akintola et al, 2022). As stated by many investigators, small-scale fisheries sector in Ethiopian reservoirs suffers from serious post-harvest loss every year (Asmamaw et al, 2021;Assefa et al, 2018;Tesfay & Teferi, 2017).…”

“…Several studies have been undertaken in the Alwero (Asmamaw et al, 2021), Tekeze (Assefa et al, 2018;Tesfay & Teferi, 2017), Amerti, and Fichawa (Teklu, 2015) reservoirs to assess the types and amount of losses and to propose the activities required to reduce post-harvest losses. The research demonstrated a high level of post-harvest loss of fishery products during pre-processing, processing, storage, and transportation.…”

“…The research demonstrated a high level of post-harvest loss of fishery products during pre-processing, processing, storage, and transportation. Fish losses are caused by a variety of circumstances, including infrastructure issues such as refrigerator shortages, transportation, quality fishing gears, and power fluctuations (Asmamaw et al, 2021;Assefa et al, 2018).…”

“…In the same study, out of a total carp species catch of 31,317 kg, 3,539 kg (11.3%) lost owing to post-harvest loss, with 560 kg of C. carpio thrown due to size discrimination, 2,143 kg due to species preference, and 447 kg due to spoiling. According to Asmamaw et al (2021), the Alwero reservoir has a significant amount of fish post-harvest loss. Each year, 4,370.4 kg of fish are cached in Alwero reservoir, with roughly 972 kg (22%) of the fish being lost (Asmamaw et al, 2021).…”

“…According to Asmamaw et al (2021), the Alwero reservoir has a significant amount of fish post-harvest loss. Each year, 4,370.4 kg of fish are cached in Alwero reservoir, with roughly 972 kg (22%) of the fish being lost (Asmamaw et al, 2021). The anticipated monetary loss per year was found to be 31,104 ETB, which is equal to $622.08 USD.…”