Addis Ababa, June 9/2024(ENA) Ethiopian Fishery experts have called for restricting fishing activities during the rainy season that would allow water bodies to replenish and significantly contribute to the 'Bounty of Basket Initiative' by enabling higher yields in the future.
The 'Bounty of Basket' initiative aims to ensure household food security, with livestock and fishery development being key focus areas.
Ethiopia is endowed with numerous lakes, including the vast Lake Tana and Great Rift Valley lakes, as well as rivers and reservoirs, presenting immense potential for fishery resources.
In addition to natural water bodies, the country can boost modern fish production by developing man-made reservoirs and ponds.
However, experts acknowledged that Ethiopia has yet to fully harness its fishery potential through optimal utilization of existing resources.
Fishery experts further asserted that seasonal variations significantly impact fish yields.
Professionals from areas renowned for high fish production, such as Bahir Dar, Gambela, and Arba Minch, have shared insights with the Ethiopian News Agency.
According to the experts, the period from March to late July is the peak breeding season for fish, making it challenging to sustain high yields during the rainy season.
Okach Balute, Head of the Gambela Regional Livestock and Fishery Development Bureau, explained, "During the rainy season, rivers and reservoirs swell with floodwaters, preventing us from locating and catching fish as easily as in dry months."
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Of late, The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Abebe Getahun, a Professor of Aquatic Biology at the Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University concerning Ethiopian fisheries and aquaculture, the contribution of fish and fish trade in Ethiopia as well as other things of a similar kind.
As of Professor Abebe, Ethiopia is endowed with several water bodies (lakes, rivers, natural ponds, and reservoirs) and is considered as the water tower of Eastern Africa. These Ethiopian inland water bodies harbor about 200 so far recorded fish species, including 191 indigenous and 9 exotic species; of which 45 species are endemic, making Ethiopia one of the five endemic fish species rich African countries. The high diversity plays key role in enhancing the fishery and aquaculture potential of Ethiopia.
Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in food and nutrition security, employment creation, means of income generation, and improved livelihoods. In Ethiopia, over a million people are reported to be directly or indirectly engaged on the fisheries and aquaculture sector for their livelihood. However, as it stands now, this sector is contributing an insignificant amount to the country's GDP, though the assessment of the actual value and extent of fisheries value chain activities, goods, and services that are assessed in calculating the GDP is debatable.
As a result, the sector at large remained marginalized in terms of human capacity development as well as implementing proper management measures for its conservation. This condition is much worse at regional levels than at federal level, as the human resource and capacity and organizational structure appears to be weaker as we go to the different regions.
Reflecting on the contribution of fish and fish trade in Ethiopia, professor Abebe said that according to the recently completed Fisheries and Aquaculture Master Plan (FAMP), there has been a rise in local, regional export, international import fish markets, catering to both local and imported fresh and seafood products. These markets, largely located in Addis Ababa, trade both local and imported products, contributing to the economy and meeting the demand for fish products at both local and international levels. Other key markets include the Gambella dry fish market, the Gonder zone of the Amhara region, the Tendaho fish market, and the Lake Tana fish market in Bahir Dar.
Although the documentation of Ethiopian cross-border fish trade remains inadequate, the country imports significant quantities of fish from neighboring nations. It is noteworthy that some of these imports are subsequently re-exported to Sudan through the border with South Sudan. Most fish traders lack access to essential cold chains, including ice and insulated containers. However, only a few enterprises for fish handling and preservation are equipped with electricity and potable water.
It is now evident (FAMP, 2024) that Ethiopian fish exports have experienced a substantial growth, rising from 15 tons in 2012 to 720 tons in 2020. Similarly, the foreign earnings generated from fish exports have also seen a significant increase, rising from USD 57,000 to 361,000 during the same period. On the other hand, there is an upward trend in fish imports, which escalated from 345 tons in 2012 to 371 tons in 2020. Consequently, the expenditure on fish imports witnessed a corresponding increase, soaring from USD 517,000 to 1,183,000 within the given timeframe. Overall, it is important to note that the substantial amount of foreign exchange earnings is being lost due to the importation of fish.
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