According to Fish Production, Consumption and Management Research by Assefa Mitike, there are 180 different species of fish in Ethiopia and 30 of those are native to the country. The total area of the lakes and reservoirs stands at about 7,000 to 8,000 square kilo meters and the important rivers stretch over 7,000 kilo meter in the country though fishing contribution for country’s GDP is very low.
Fish production potential of the country is estimated to be 51,000 tonnes. Fresh fish is consumed in the vicinity of the Great Rift Valley lakes. Besides, outside of these areas, the domestic market for fish is small. Since fishery production is over exploited due to inappropriate fishing practice, the potential of fish was underdeveloped and the management rule and regulation at Federal level and State levels was also very poor.
Moreover, the country’s fish consumption and production system differs from place to place. Towns and road side vicinity of the nation are most frequent fish consumers. But, an estimated 99, 504 tonnes of fish can be produced from its lakes, dams, rivers and small water bodies nationally.
However, in Ethiopia there are several rivers and lakes in different parts of the country that can be fish farming potential and contributing for the development.
Currently, the country is engaged in constructing several hydro-power dams for its power consumption needs. Apart from generating electric power, these dams will be great potential for fish harvesting and ensure economic development to the nation by far. But according to some conducted surveys, the country’s naturally fish harvesting potential is about 95 thousand tonnes. However, Ethiopia can raise its fish potential using aquaculture and modern technologies and by facilitating the necessary infrastructure for fish harvesting.
2016 AllAfrica