PROBLEMS FACING FISHING IN EAST AFRICA

PROBLEMS FACING FISHING IN EAST AFRICA

• Limited capital to modernize the fishing industry.
• Most of the fishing grounds like Lake Albert and Turkana are in remote areas that are inaccessible.
• Limited market for fish due to low income or cultural norms e.g. among the Bahima.

• Limited fish species of commercial value which reduces international demand.
• Overfishing and indiscriminate fishing through the use of beach seining method which leads to catching of young fish.
• Excessive high temperature creates preservation difficulties.
• Political instability especially in Uganda which has scared away foreign investors.

• The threat of crocodiles especially on Lake Kyoga which scare away fishermen.
• Poor transport network linking to fishing grounds which leads to delays in delivery.
• Water hyacinth especially on Lake Victoria and Kyoga chokes fish to death.
• Competition with other fish producing countries like Norway Japan leads to an inadequate market.
• Undesirable fishing methods like fish poisoning causes health risks to the local people.

• Inter- territory conflict since some fishing grounds are found at borders e.g. Lake Albert, Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.
• Reduction of Tilapia due to the presence of Nile perch which eats them away.
• Some fishing grounds are too deep and hence does not favour fish multiplication.
• Water pollution by industries e.g. Nile breweries which cause the death of the fish.
• Post fishing losses e.g. theft of their nets and fish catch.

STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING FISHING

• Formation of Ministry of fisheries to control fishing activities in the country.
• Formation of fishing cooperatives for advice, loans, and easy marketing.
• Educating the public about the value of the fish as a source of proteins and vitamins to increase its market.
• Removal of the water hyacinth by using chemicals to provide enough oxygen for the fish.

• There is construction and rehabilitation of road networks linking to fish grounds to improve fish deliveries.
• Treatment of sewage and industrial wastes to reduce water pollution.
• Setting strict laws prohibiting illegal fishing methods like poisoning and indiscriminate nets to protect the young fish.
• Introduction of modern fish preservation methods like freezing and canning by extending power to rural areas.

• Regular police patrols to reduce theft on water bodies.
• Introduction of commercial and high-value fish species e.g. Nile Perch which have a large market.
• Increased importation of fishing facilities such as motorboats and motor engines to increase efficiency.
• Construction of on-site fish processing plants e.g. Masese in Jinja and at Ggaba near Kampala to prevent fish from going bad.

• Artificial rearing of fish in ponds to reduce depletion of some species e.g. at Kajjansi and Entebbe.

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IMPORTANCE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY