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ASSESSMENT OF FISH PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEM IN LAKE

HAWASSA AT AMORA GEDEL, ETHIOPIA

Research · May 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4353.6240

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“ASSESSMENT OF FISH PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEM
IN LAKE HAWASSA AT AMORA GEDEL, ETHIOPIA”

Dr. B. SAI RAM PATTNAIK

Associate Professor
Dept of Biology,
College of Natural and Computational Sciences
WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSITY
ETHIOPIA

INTRODUCTION
Agriculture being the main back bone of the country of Ethiopia, fishery has also
considerable potential that could contribute of the country. In 2005, the total capture
production in Africa was Approximately 4.99 million tones of these 15,681 tones were
from Ethiopia (FAO, 2006). Ethiopia endowed with 7400km2 of lake that herbivorous
fish species which are economically and ecologically important to the country (Tedela,
2003). some of these species includes Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus ) and Nile
perch (Lates niloticus) in lake Hawassa and Chemo, Africa cat fish ( Clarias garipinus )
and bar bus species are found in lake Hawassa. The current annual average commercial
catch from lake in Ethiopia estimated at 1300 tones (Habtea; 2002).

The potential yield of early fishing rate compared with current fishing rate is low and
accounted for 30-40% considering the current growth of demand for this production in
Ethiopia .It is vital to systematically develop fishery based on knowledge of ecosystem
sustain yield (FAO,2000). Ethiopia has a great potential for agriculture seems to be
providing animal protein to the people. The current increasing market demand for fish
protein in Ethiopia can be meet only the capture fishery is supplemented by agriculture
.fish became deteriorate in short period of time in tropics.

Therefore, it’s should kept at room temperature and to be preserved by freezing or

dehydration and other suitable processing techniques. So, that they can be transport over
long distance and used for over long period of time (swaminathan, 2001). According to
Golubtsov and mina (2003) the relation of different factors which affects the aquatic
organisms living in the system. Directly and indirectly, the live LaHood of over 500
million people in developing countries depend on fisheries and agriculture even if this
true now a day’s large number of commercial important aquatic organisms’ such as
fish are highly endangered because of over exploitation including fish taking beyond
sustainable level and this may reduce stocks and employment in mainly world regions.
Silt formation around lake Hawassa a deposited in to the inside water bodies.

1.2 statement of the problem

Ethiopia has many lakes, rivers and reservoirs and its approximately 960km at red coast
line are fertile fishing grounds. However, the fishing continued less than one percent
GDP in 1987 modern fishing scales is very small. Traditional processing of fish sun
drying, smoking has been tried to meet the market demand to the temporary or
permanent settlement of community. The critical problem for decline of fish production
in different lake and river in Ethiopia related to marketing system are over harvesting,
lack of proper knowledge, lack of modern fishing gears siltation, seasonal factors
temperature waste materials from industries and households in to water bodies. This
decrease biological and shortage of special people live in coastal area.

1.3 significance of the study

The study was the following importance for the community of the town ,rural people
and society .The study was thought the techniques for the assessment of fish
production and marketing system in lake Hawassa It gives awareness for the
community ,fisherman and cooperative man . In the present deals with prevailing
problem that seek for logical solutions .This study was also indictors for other study of
particular problem .

1.4 objectives of the study

- To asses fish production and marketing system in lake Hawassa.
- To identify the major constraints of fish production and marketing system in lake
Hawassa.
- To evaluate fish production and marketing system
- To examine the harvesting season of the fish.
- To give awareness for community for fish production and marketing system.

1.5 Research questions

The research project would be try answer the following handing question
1. What are major constrains at fish production and marketing system?
2 .What types of fishing method, used during fishing activities?
3. By what types of criteria you set the price of fish?
4. When the fish are more harvesting?
5. What type of fish found in Lake Hawassa?
1.6 Limitation and Delimitation
During study work the following major limitation were observed.
-Lack of reference materials on related the study time and financial constraints
- Lack of transportation and Lack of respondents in the study area.
-Lack of reliable and published documents
-Language barrier.
In addition the in appropriate response of some respondents for the reason that the
information that they giving would bring them in risk are the limitation of the study.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Fisheries Resources of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is endorsed with a number of lake and driver which are believed to be
promising potential of different fish stock most rift valley harbor African cat fish
(Clarias garipinus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a few cyprinids mostly
Barbus species .Annual fisheries potential at the major lakes, reservoirs and major
ricers. Since 1993 is estimated to be 10-15 thousand tones and cat chin the year 1993
was estimated to be 8thous and tones (16% of potential) (habte etal, 2002). Ethiopia
fishery is undeveloped due to low level of economy absence of fisheries legislation, in
effective and ministration set up and lack of experience. Based on the facts Ethiopian
fisheries may not seem to manage but some stock (Tilapia and Nile perch on some lake)
(Hawassa and chemo) show sign of over fishing and Tilapia of Lake Ziway are probably
at full exploitation. Most notable is the lack of legal provisions to monitor fishing
activities through fisheries regulations and lack of clearly designee enforcement agency
(Golubtsove etal; 2002). Fisheries management in Ethiopia would have great
contribution to the economy. This because fisheries. It makes possible evaluation over
exploitation (FAO-2002).

2.2 Fish production in Ethiopia

Aquaculture is a food production technology where by fish or other aquatic organisms
are grown in managed system that produce greatly harvest than would natural occur. It
Ethiopia over 200 species of fish are known to occur in lake hivers. The major lake of
fish diversity found in Ethiopia are chemo, Abaya, Hawassa, shalla, Langano Abijata,
ziway,koka,Tana and fincha (FTo,2000). Development and management of aquatic
resources in Ethiopia is largely at the early stage commercial fishing is new practices in
Ethiopia lakes and it was started in the 19505. The production in most Ethiopia yield
(30-40%) of an average (FAO-2001).
 Ethiopia contains more than 1000km2 of land water bodies such as lakes and rivers.
These water bodies are home to the varied species of fishes. The major rivers includes
abay, Awash,baro,Gibe. Omo, Tekezze and wabishe Bella. Fishery resources of those
rivers are not properly exploited and neither the current production any estimate of
potential is known currently. The rift valley lakes (lake Hawassa, chemo, Abaya,
Langano and ziway) are major source of fish production in Ethiopia (Hable etalj 2002).

2.2.1 The principal Fish species and Abundance

The Ethiopia rift valley lakes are home for about 30 different native species at fish
found .However the distribution at fish diversity within the rift valley lake is extremely
uneven. The Awash river bas in alone comprises eleven fish species which is about 37%
of the fish found in Ethiopia rift valley and the southern Ethiopia rift valley lake such as
lake Abaya and chemo comprises 20 fish species (Golubtsav etal,2002, Golutsav and
mina 2003).

2.2.2 Fish Handling and processing

In modern fish processing plan, especially the small scale ones. Flake ice generation
dominate as flake ice ensures major contact surface with fish product are delivered direct
to shop where they should be placed in cold stores. Good trade practices indicate that
retailer should only keep one day tock of cooled fish or fish production such as fillets,
beheaded and gaited fish (FAT, 2006).

2.2.3 Socio- economy Importance of fishery

Fisheries may apply critical role as well as a wasters system which would otherwise to
provide through other forms of social fish has been an important component of food
particularly lakes ,rivers flood plains and costal area and protein source for an
employment and income directly or indirectly (Habte etal; 2002).

2.2.4. Factors Affecting fish production

The different factors which affects aquatic organism living in the system an
anthropogenic activities which are made in catchment of the reservoirs affect the water
quality as well as quantity siltation of reservoirs is now becoming a well known
phenomena in Ethiopia which are already experienced in almost all hydro electric power
generation reservoirs, siltation also affect the fish community by reducing food
organisms, depleting. The amount of oxygen for decomposing of organic materials,
increasing the turbidity of the water which reduces the euphoric or photo synthetic zone
(stamina than, 2001).
2.3 Fish marketing and distribution
2.3.1 Fish demand and supply
In Ethiopia, most the fishing so for takes place in the lakes (85%) with only 15% in the
rivers. The total candling was about 10, 00 and16, 770stones in 2004 and 200819
respectively. It is becoming apparent that demand for fish is increasing in Ethiopia and
the market is not sufficiently supplied with fish. The fish demand in the country is page
higher than the available fish in the market (MOARD, 2009).

2.3.2 Marketing price of fish

The price of fish varies depending on the type of fish species, fish size, transportation,
the color of fish and quality of fish play Avery important role in marketing of fish. The
common type of fish, Nile perch is sold for birr 30 per kg in the retail shops of Addis
Ababa (Alem, 2001).

2.3.3. Marketing constraints of fish

Limited lake side access and vitalities (electricity clean water and communication)
restricted the point at which can be landed and contributes to relatively high east for land
fish distance. Current instability in trading relationship and fishing activity combine with
highly competition, suggest that margins are relatively low. A number of market
participants also indicate capital constraints like large cold storage facilities and
transport (Dereje, 2002).

3. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

3.1 Description of the study area

The research was conducted at Lake Hawassa in Sidama zone , SNNPR, Hawassa town
Located 273 Km far away from Addis Ababa and 130 km. East sodo town.
Geographically found between 703´2"latitude North and 38026'6"longitude east. Area of
the Lake Hawassa is 95.8 Km2 and its stretches 16km from north east to south west
direction and 8km from Northeast to southeast direction and it has estimated volume 1.3
billion while the maximum depth of the lake 21.6m. Altitude ranges 1650 meter above
sea level the annual rain fall of the town ranges between 800-1000m and temperature
ranges between 20-270c. It is lying just south of the town of Shashemene and close to the
town of Hawassa.
3.2 Sampling Population
The total population size of this research was 500 out of the 300 were male and 200
female both fishermen and cooperative are the sampling population.
3.3 Sample size Determination
23 fishermen and two cooperative men were selected from the total population using
random sampling technique.
It was prepared question airy for 23 fishermen and two cooperative men were
interviewed .Among 25 respondents 15 were male and 10 were female.
3.4 The sampling Techniques
Random sampling techniques utilized to the respondents. This gives equal chance for
each and every fisher men cooperative and user of fish in the community.
3.5. Data collection method
The data was collected from both primary and secondary data sources, primary data
obtained by open and close ended questionnaire was applied to the fishermen and
cooperative men was interviewed. The secondary data were obtained from different
written documents (Journals, Books and internets).
3.6 data analysis
The data were analyzed using tables percentage and figures. The staticical data was
interpreted by SPSS system.

4. RESULT
4.1 Socio- Demographic characteristic of Fishermen and cooperative
The result was revealed that all of the respondents male and female out of this 55% were
under the age of 31-50 and 25% were under age of 20-30 years and 20% where under
age of 51-65 years (figure 1). The average family size in the study was person per house
hold out of these the average male and female per house hold was 3 and 2 persons,
respectively.65% of the respondents were illitrated and the rest 35 % were litrated out of
these the literate fishermen 71.4% of them attended first cycle and 28% were attended
secondary cycle and above.
 60-
55-
Percentage of the respondents

50-
40-
30-
25-
20-
5-
0
20- 30 31-50 51-65

Age of the respondent

Figure-1 the age of the respondents

4.2 fish production

4.2.1 Fish species in Lake Hawassa
According to the respondents three types of fish species were found in Lake Hawassa.
These three fish species were Tilapia (koroso) cat fish (Ambaza) and Bar bus(kerkero)
.Among this species Tilapia was over harvested 62.5% of the respondents reported that
Tilapia was the most commercially abundant fish species that found in lake Hawassa.
Because of many people use Tilapia as medicine food and Barb us 25% respondents said
that cat fish and is the most commercially important and abundant fish but the rest
1.25% of the respondents said the Barb us is the most abundant and commercially
important fish species (2002) Tilapia, Barb us and Nile perch are economically
important fish species in Lake Hawassa, chemo, Abaya and ziway.
Table-1- The most commercially abundant fish species
-The most Abundant and No of fishermen and Percentage)%) of
commercially importance fish cooperative respondents
species in lake Hawassa.
Tilapia (koroso) 12 62.5%
Cat fish (Ambaza) 8 25%
Bar bus (kerkero) 5 12.55%
Total 25 100
4.2.2 Methods of fish harvesting techniques
65% of the fisher man that have the same size and 35% of the fisherman used hook and
line for catching different fish species .The major types of gear (gillnet) on the lake
ranging from 8-10cm and hook lines are used for Tilapia species only
This is due to Tilapia in the large size then other fish species each fishery
Men association has the set of request ion governing it is particular fishery man size and
seasonal factors affect fish species living in aquatic system (FAo.2006).
According to the same men size so this affect immature fish found lake Hawassa as well
as affect the quality of fish market .

Table 2 Types of equipment and fish species

Equipment Percentage (%) Size Types
mesh 65 8-10cm Tilapia cat fish
Barb us
Hook and lines 35 Small (1m)
Medium(2m) Tilapia
Large(3m)

4.2.3 Fish harvesting season

75% fishing activity were done during morning, 17. 5 % of the respondent harvested
during day time. 5% the respondent harvested at night and 2.5% of respondents
harvested at mid day .according to respondent large amount of fishes were harvested
continuously during rainy season. These is because during non rain season. The surface
of water become hot and make not suitable for fish due to this the fish sunk to the
bottom part of water .where as during rainy season the surface water become cool and
the bottom part of the water became warm. Therefore the fish became in the surface
water is more harvested (Elias-1997).

Table -3-time of fishing activity

Time of fishing No of fisher and
cooperative percentage
Morning 10 75
Mid day 2 2.5
Rate day 8 17
Night 5 5.0
T0tal 25 100
Table -4-constriants of fish production of respondents
Constraints No of respondents Percentage) Rank
Lack of proper knowledge 5 19 3
Over harvesting 6 20 2
Poor boat service 7 24 1
Poor fishing gear 4 17 4
Continuous harvesting 2 15 5
Other(immature fishing, 1 5 6
use of water for irrigation)

Total 25 100

4.3. factors affecting fish production

7(24) of the respondent reported that poor boat service were the highest factor affecting
fish production 6(20%) with over harvesting, 5(19%) with lack of proper knowledge
4(17%)of the respondent with poor fishing gears, 25% of the respondent them with
continuous harvesting and 1(5%) of them immature harvesting fishing, use of lake for
irrigation (Tabe-4), According to stamina than (2001), Anthropogenic activities affect
directly the water quality as well as quantity. silt formation around or near to the lake
area /indirectly affects the fish community by reducing the food organisms and
deflecting the amount of oxygen.
4.4 Fish marketing and Distribution
4.4.1 Price of fish and Distribution
According to the respondent all fishermen uses fish for income generation. The demand
of the people in the town was high because of the decreasing production of in the lake
due to over harvesting and using of water for irrigation and increasing population in the
town. In addition to this the supply of fish in each market is irregular in terms of amount
and time. The price of fish was depend on fish species, size and type (Alem, 2001).
According to the respondent’s response of the three species which found in Lake
Hawassa Tilapia fish species was the most preferable and costly than other species but
the price is variable due to the difference of body size of the species. According to Alem
(2001) - The price of fish in the candling site to the town was different. The size and
type of fish play an important role in the cost and price in the market.

4.4.2 Means of Transportation

45% of the respondents said the at the most means of transporting fish in the town were
by taxi 35% of the respondent said that means of transporting of fish in the town were
bicycle and the remaining 20% of respondents transporting fish from candling site to
storage house by using human (Table-5).

Table -5 Means of Transportation of fish

Means of transportation No of respondents Percentage (%)
Bicycle 8 35
Taxi 10 45
Human 7 20
Total 25 100

According to the manager fish Hawassa private Fishery cooperation, the manager
transported the town lake Hawassa to the storage place and Hawassa town by helps
vesicle, which has refrigerator on it. The majority fish was supplied by fishery
cooperatives and by individual fishermen.

4.4.3 Marketing constraints of fish

The major marketing constraints were lack of processing place and lack of awareness.
As percentage composition of 28, 35, 15 and 22 respectictively. According to Elias
dauebo (1997) reported in Afar, Awash river the major marketing problem were lack of
adequate storage preservation facilities and lack transportation. According to present
study the major marketing problem in lake Hawassa were lack of permanent fish market
place in accounted for 1(35%) secondly lack of transportation of fish from landing site to
storage house it accounted for 6(28%) and the town, 5(22%) where lack a wariness to
use fish for how prepare and process it. 45(15%) respondent were by lack of storage
facilities (refrigerator) to store fish without spoilage (Table-6) this indicate that the study
area had lack of income generation to improvement fish quality. According to dereje
(2002), A number of market participants also indicate capital constraints, expressing
interest in acquiring large cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport.

Table-6- Marketing constraints/factors/of fish

Constraints No of Percentage (%) Rank
respondents
Lack of transportation 6 28 2
Lack of proper processing and storage 5 22 3
facilities (refrigerator)
Lack of awareness 4 15 4
Lack of permanent fish market place 10 35 1
Total 25 100
 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The survey showed that the lake Hawassa has three fish species. Among them the most
commercial important fish species were Tilapia, cat fish and Barb us. Among those very
crucial commercially important fish was Tilapia. In Lack Hawassa the fishermen caught
fish by using the same mesh size and using hook and lines. The fishing of fishermen in
the study area was using passive harvesting method by using small mesh size and active
harvesting methods. The large amount of fishes was harvested continuously during rainy
season and morning. The price of fish is depend on fish species, size and type and
distance from Landing site. The major marketing constraints fishes were Lack of proper
processing and storage facilities, Lack of transportation, Lack of fish quality, Lack of
permanent fish market place and Lack of a wariness, The factor that affect fish
production in Lake Hawassa were over harvesting poor modern service, poor fishing
gear. Continuous harvesting and Lack of proper knowledge

Recommendation
Based on fishing .The following recommendation were suggested.
 Government should give attention to control over fishing and immature fishing that can
be done by fishermen.
 Fisherman shall be better use appropriate mesh size (i.e. not use very small mesh size) in
order to protect immature fish and not large mesh size to protect endanger fish.
 Fishermen shall be used boat during harvesting fish harvest safely.
 The fisher men should be facilities appropriate transportation service in order to sale
fresh fish in the market timely and use refrigerator to keep them from spoilage.
 It is better if the government make the area of marketing for fresh fish sellers.
 The government recommends the sellers in order to avoid the sealing of contaminated
part.

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