Title : Trends in fish value chain improvement in Rift Valley Lakes and Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Abstract:
Fisheries in Ethiopia face numerous constraints. However, there are little observed information about fishers and fish traders’ perceptions of these constraints and future solutions. The study was conducted in four purposely selected fishing grounds, namely, Lakes Tana, Ziway, Hawassa, and Chamo. Primary data were collected from 450 fishers and 89 fish traders were interviewed. There were also addressed through field observations, focus group discussions and secondary data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that illegal fishing gear and practices are the most serious barriers constraining fish value addition amongst fishers, while 65.2% fish traders were unlicensed traders probably contributed for the fish market to be created unhealthy competition. Other constraints were fish breeding habitat degradation, lake shore agricultural land expansion, water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) infestation, increase price of gillnet and material inputs, unhygienic post harvest handling and processing, traditional in terms of fish storage and transportation and lack of place for post harvest fishing activities. These findings can be an indication to all link actors’ standpoint with those of decision maker and other value chain development agents focused on particular upgrading activities and thus help to label appropriate interventions for its sustainable fish resources and maintaining existing fish stocks.
Keywords: Constraints, Fish, Fishers, Lakes Tana, Ziway, Hawassa , Chamo and value chain
