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Utilization of small water bodies, Botswana: Report of activities towards fisheries exploitation

Report of activities towards fisheries exploitation, 1992-1993

Year of publication 1994

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages p.36

Author Nermark, U.P.,Mmopelwa, T.G.

Product type Project

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) ALCOM has been assisting the Fisheries Section, Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana in implementing the project “Development of small reservoir fisheries”. During phase one, a socio-economic survey around seven smaller reservoirs showed that there is sparse hook and line fishing on those reservoirs. The survey repudiated earlier assumptions that people in eastern Botswana do not eat fish and suggested that availability and knowledge concerning how to cook fish are the main constraints preventing people from eating more fish. The survey also concluded that fishing is a part-time activity. These findings led to the second phase with a biophysical study of eight selected reservoirs through test fishing using the Drottningholm method. A total of 15 different species were found; the CPUE was calculated both by species and by total catch for each reservoir. The catch was dominated in mass by Oreochromis andersonii in four reservoirs, by Clarias gariepinus in three and by small Barbus spp i n one reservoir. During the second phase, Semarule dam (37 ha when full) was chosen as a reference for a one-year test-fishing cycle. Five different species were found but catches were usually dominated in mass by O. andersonii. Seasonal changes could be registered. During the period October – December 1990 and September – October 1991 the catch was dominated by the small pelagic Barbus paludinosus. These two phases brought home the fact that fish are there but the stock is unexploited becau se of the lack of fishing knowledge of the local population who would like more fish if it was possible. ALCOM and the Fisheries Department therefore started a third phase in 1992 which focused more on exploitation of Small Water Bodies than on assessment. Through collaboration with the Water Development Section (WDS) in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), fisheries has now been included in the water development policy as an activity in multipurpose dams.

Language English

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    Twenty one species of fish, four species of crustaceans and one mollusc species have been introduced into Zambia. They can be classified into several groups by chronology: introductions during the 1940s and 1950s; the first tilapia introductions (1945–1950); the second and third wave of introductions; the introductions into Lake Kariba and Lake Iteshiteshi; introduction of aquatic animals from the 1980s; introductions organized by large companies and commercial farmers; introduction of crustacea ns by private farmers. The manner of these introductions, and their impact on fisheries in Zambia, are analysed. Comments and recommendations are also made on aquaculture in Zambia, on the choice of fish species for further aquaculture development, on the possibilities of trout farming in Zambia, and on foreign assistance programmes in aquaculture.
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    Utilization of Small Water Bodies, Botswana.
    Results of a socio-economic survey on fish consumption and fishing
    1990
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    As part of the preparatory phase of ALCOM's Pilot Project on the Utilization of Small Water Bodies in Botswana, a socio-economic survey was carried out amongst communities living around seven selected dams in south-eastern Botswana. The main aims of the survey were to determine fish consumption patterns and attitudes as well as the types of fishermen and the level of their current activity. To implement the survey, two interview schedules were used, Survey 1 was designed to gather information of fish consumption patterns and Survey 2 was designed to gather information on fishermen/women. For Survey 1, a quasi-randomly selected sample of 343 households were interviewed on their fish consumption patterns. These interviews were carried out at households living around all seven dams. For Survey 2, as no information existed on the number of people fishing, anyone seen fishing, or was identified as a fishermen either from Survey 1 or through key informants, was interviewed. In total, 37 fishermen/women were interviewed. Results from Survey 1 show that approximately 20 % of the households interviewed have eaten fresh fish, albeit very rarely. The most common reason for not eating fresh fish was that it was not available to buy. The main source of fresh fish came from fishermen in the household catching fish in the dam. Tilapia (bream) is the preferred species, although barbel is also eaten. Households usually fry fish, but many sun-dry fish before cooking either because the taste is preferred or for preservation purposes. Fresh fish is usually not fed to weaning children as it is considered to have too many bones. The results also reveal that just over 80 % of the total sample eat tinned fish, usually tinned pilchards in chili sauce. Other types of fish such as frozen or salted fish are eaten by a negligible number of the households, because they are not easily available except in the larger supermarkets in main villages (frozen only).
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