Strategies for fish production in lowlands reservoirs, Lesotho

Abstract

Recent studies have found that, while Basotho -- the people of Lesotho -- eat fish if it is available, they lack knowledge about local fishery resources and fishing methods. As a result, the fishery resources of Lesotho's lowland reservoirs are virtually unexploited. To remedy this situation, the Fisheries Section has formulated fish production strategies for local community groups and entrepreneurs on lowland reservoirs. ALCOM has assisted in this effort in the context of its small water body f isheries programme. This report describes and discusses the project's work. An inventory of reservoirs classified by size class was carried out in seven lowland districts; stock assessment and catch monitoring methods were demonstrated in 15 selected reservoirs; a socio-economic profile was conducted of communities living around selected reservoirs; recommendations were made to enhance fish production and improve fishing gear, strategies were suggested for fisheries development and management. The next step in lowland reservoir fisheries development is to raise local awareness of lowland reservoir fish production potential and to implement fish production strategies on selected reservoirs.