A report on frame and catch assessment surveys on Lake Nakuwa, Lake Kyoga Basin, Uganda

Lake Nakuwa is one of the large lakes among the Kyoga drainage system lakes, located 132 km north east Off Jinja town, at 01° 091N 33° 21 1 E, an elevation 1037 m, surface area of 200 km2 and an average depth of 3.3 m. The lake is shared by the districts of Kamuli, Pallisa and the newly created district of Kaliro. howerever 80% of the landing sites are in Kaliro and less than 20% are shared between the districts of Kamuli and Pallisa. The lake is free of submerged and floating macrophytes, with lots of floating papyrus (sudds). Papyrus, hippo grass and reeds dominate the shoreline vegetation. Lake Nakuwa like the main lake Kyoga was stocked with the Nile perch and the tilapiine species namely Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis leucostictus and Tilapia zillii in the general stocking exercise of small lakes alild dams in the early 1970's.

A report of the fisheries catch assessment surveys in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for November 2005

The fisheries of Lake Victoria have undergone many changes in the recent past which have been characterized by shifts in abundance of different fish Species and changes in fishing effort. Monitoring of the population dynamics as well as the magnitude, distribution and trends of fishing effort and fish Catches is probably more necessary now than ever before for sound management of the fisheries of the lake. This will enable the formulation of appropriate fisheries policies and legislation to ensure that the fisheries are sustainable. One of the avenues to collect information to support the above process is through conducting regular Catch Assessment Surveys (CASs). The EU funded Implementation of a Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) project for Lake Victoria through the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) is supporting the implementation of regionally harmonized CASs in Lake Victoria. The CASs under IFMP are following a statistically design laid down in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) agreed around the whole lake. In the Ugandan part of the lake, the CASs are carried out at 54 fish landing sites selected in the eleven districts sharing the lake. They are jointly conducted by the Fisheries Resources Research Institute (FIRRI), Jinja; the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR), Entebbe; and the Districts of Busia, Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, Mukono, Wakiso, Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka, Kalangala and Rakai. The CAS enumerators are recruited from the fishing communities and work under direct supervision of sub county Fisheries Officers. It is planned to involve the recently formed Beach Management Units (BMUs) in fisheries data collection when modalities for their roles have been streamlined.

A report of the Fisheries Catch Assessment Survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for the August 2007 survey

The monitoring of fish stocks as well as the magnitude, distribution and trends of fishing effort and fish catches is required for sound fisheries resources management. Conducting regular Catch Assessment Surveys (CASs) in Lake Victoria is one of the ways through which the partner states sharing the lake are generating information to contribute to the above process. The EU funded Implementation of a Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) project for Lake Victoria through the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) is supporting the implementation of regionally harmonised CASs in Lake Victoria . The CASs under IFMP are following a statistical design laid down in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) agreed by the three partner states of the East African Community sharing the lake. In the Ugandan part of the lake, the CASs are carried out at 54 fish landing sites selected in the eleven riparian districts sharing the lake. The National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NAFIRRI), Jinja; the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR), Entebbe; and the Districts of Busia, Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, Mukono, Wakiso, Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka, Kalangala and Rakai jointly conduct the surveys. The CAS enumerators are recruited from the fishing communities and work under direct supervision of subcounty Fisheries Officers. NaFIRRI seeks to continue strengthening the engagement of the Beach Management Units (BMUs) and other fisheries Co-management Institutions in fisheries data collection .

Resource productivity and economic performance of producing fish seeds in government and private fanns in Bangladesh

The effect of various factors on spawn and fingerlings production in government and private farms was measured in this study. Primary data were collected from 45 private and 11 government farms from 9 selected districts covering major fish seed producing areas of Bangladesh. Results from Cobb-Douglas production function analysis indicated that the included variables had some positive impacts on returns from spawn and fingerlings. No input was found to be over used and increasing returns to scale was observed. Tabular analysis indicated that higher amount of input use produced higher level of yield, gross return and net return. The government farms were under utilized. For increased supply of fish seeds in the country more amount of specified inputs (feed and fertilizer) should be used for producing spawn and fingerlings especially in government farms.

Status of fish broodstock management and seed production in Bangladesh

The study was conducted with the broad objectives to assess the existing situation of broodstock management and fish seed production in private fish seed farms in Bangladesh. The data were collected from 100 private hatcheries and 40 nurseries in seven upazilas under four districts. There was no shed in forty hatcheries and the owners faced many problems. Brood fish ponds were found suitable for rearing brood fish. About 66% of the hatchery owners collected brood fish from their own ponds and ponds of neighboring areas. Activities like pond preparation; manuring and supplementary feeding were done properly but stocking density of brood fish in 76% of the hatcheries was 3,000-7,000 kg/ha. Infection of argulosis was found in brood fish of 87% of the hatcheries. About 67% of the hatchery owners practiced inter-species crossing. Major problems faced by the hatchery owners were argulosis of brood fish, unavailability of pure brood stock, inadequate brood fish pond. The hatchery owners were found interested to find out the preventive measures of argulosis, develop pure brood stock of indigenous carp and import pure strain of exotic carp. According to the nursery operators, they cultivated hybrid fry because of high demand, rapid growth and good taste. Problems of using hatchery spawn as mentioned by the nursery operators were inbreeding, under sized and aged brood stock, stunted growth, physical deformities and high mortality of spawn due to unknown causes.

Ecological imbalances in the coastal areas of Pakistan and Karachi Harbour

The marine environment of Pakistan has been described in the context of three main regions : the Indus delta and its creek system, the Karachi coastal region, and the Balochistan coast. The creeks, contrary to concerns, do receive adequate discharges of freshwater. On site observations indicate that freshwater continues flowing into them during the lean water periods and dilutes the seawater there. A major factor for the loss of mangrove forests as well as ecological disturbances in the Indus delta is loss of the silt load resulting in erosion of its mudflats. The ecological disturbance has been aggravated by allowing camels to browse the mangroves. The tree branches and trunks, having been denuded of leaves are felled for firewood. Evidence is presented to show that while indiscriminate removal of its mangrove trees is responsible for the loss of large tracts of mangrove forests, overharvesting of fisheries resources has depleted the river of some valuable fishes that were available from the delta area. Municipal and industrial effluents discharged into the Lyari and Malir rivers and responsible for land-based pollution at the Karachi coast and the harbour. The following are the three major areas receiving land-based pollution and whose environmental conditions have been examined in detail: (l) the Manora channel, located on the estuary of the Lyari river and serving as the main harbour, has vast areas forming its western and eastern backwaters characterized by mud flats and mangroves. The discharge of industrial wastewater from the S.I.T.E. and municipal effluents from the northern and central districts into the Lyari has turned this river into an open drain. This, in turn, has caused a negative impact on the environment of the port, fish harbour, and the adjacent beaches. (2) The Gizri creek receives industrial and municipal effluents from the Malir river as well as from several industries and power stations. The highly degraded discharges from the Malir have negatively impacted the environment in this creek. (3) The coastline between the Manora channel and Gizri creek where the untreated municipal effluents are discharged by the southern districts of Karachi, is responsible for the degraded environment of the Chinna creek, and also of the beaches and the harbour. The Balochistan coast is relatively safe from land-based pollution, mainly because of the lack of industrial, urban or agricultural activity, except the Hingol river system where some agricultural activities have been initiated.

Factor intensity and economic returns of alternate shrimp crop and shrimp-salt farming in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

The paper examines the factor intensity and economic returns of alternate shrimp-crop and shrimp-salt farming in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 30 shrimp-crop and 30 shrimp-salt farmers, 30 shrimp farmers and 30 rice farmers from three selected coastal districts of Bangladesh. Cobb-Douglas production function model was used to determine the effect of various factors on alternate shrimp-crop farming. The chosen variables were stocking of juveniles, paddy seed, labour, fertilizers, feed and farm size of respective type of farming. The results indicated that the production function exhibited increasing remrns to scale for alternate shrimp-rice, alternate shrimp-salt and year round shrimp farming while it indicated decreasing returns for year round rice farming. Economic analysis of same system of farming indicated that higher amount of input use produced higher level of yield, gross return and net return for each type of production system.

Incidence of ulcer type of disease in wild fishes of Bangladesh

Disease occurred in wild fish species investigated in different water bodies like canals, ditches, beel, haor, flood plain in 17 districts of Dhaka division. Haemorrhagic lesions were observed on the body surface of affected fishes. Incidence of the disease in the investigated water bodies ranged from 0 to 100%. In total 19 fish species were found to be affected and prevalence of infection ranged from 0.0 to 100.0%. Channa punctatus and Puntius ticto were severely affected in all locations. Percentage of infection in these fishes ranged from 0.0 to 100.0. The highest infection was observed in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Mymensingh districts. Bacterial genera isolated from the lesions of these affected fishes were Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus. Among these isolates Aeromonas was the dominant. Abundance of Aeromonas in the lesions among the investigated bacteria ranged from 75 to 90%. Five identified Aero monas lrydrophila were examined for their pathogenicity and were able to infect the experimental fish, silver barb (Puntius gonionotus). The pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila was thus considered to have an association with the outbreak of ulcer type of disease in the investigated fish species.

Investment in fish seed multiplication farms in Bangladesh: Evidences of an attractive business

This study mainly evaluated the profitability of Fish Seed Multiplication Farms (FSMFs) having hatchery, nursery and hatchery-cum-nursery located in the districts of Jessore, Jhenidah and Narail in Bangladesh. The general findings of the study were that the investment in FSMFs with hatchery, nursery and hatchery-cum-nursery was highly profitable business. The results clearly indicated that the investment on hatchery was the most profitable than those of nursery and hatchery-cum-nursery operations from the viewpoints of individual investors. The results of sensitivity analysis suggested that the investment in nursery farm was a risky business with 20 per cent increase in operation and management as well was production costs or 20 per cent reduction in benefits if other things remaining the same. It was also evident from the study that the investors of FSMFs had currently been facing some crucial problems, which among others are: problems of inbreeding, shortage of brood fish, incidence of diseases, unavailability of certain inputs and lack of credit.

Factors influencing the livelihood index and level of aspiration of fisherwomen

A study was conducted among fifty women fish vendors in Kancheepuram and Chennai districts to determine the factors influencing the livelihood index and level of aspiration. The independent variables such as annual income, scientific orientation, expenditure per year and savings per year were found to have highest factor loadings on livelihood index and level of aspiration of fisherwomen. Besides most of the fisherwomen had a high level (score of <50) of livelihood index and a high level (score greater than 13) of aspiration.

Economic analysis of carp based culture technologies in selected areas of Bangladesh

Six carp based culture technologies such as, carp-pangas, carp polyculture, carp-golda, pangas monoculture, golda monoculture and nursery have been selected to determine the cost and returns of respective technologies in Bangladesh. The sample farmers selected for these technologies were 55, 100, 65, 50, 51 and 55 respectively and thus the total sample size stood at 376. The study covered 7 districts of Bangladesh, namely, Mymensingh, Bogra, Noakhali, Comilla, Jessore, Khulna and Bagerhat. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. It was found that farmers used a good number of feeds for the selected technologies and they maintained no standard doses for them. Remarkable differences were found among the prices of different feeds and other inputs used for different technologies in different locations. Prices of all inputs were found to be increasing and this increase was more in recent years compared to previous years. Though all the technologies were found to be profitable, the feed situation was not satisfactory. Except rice polish all the local feeds showed deficit in supply to meet the national demand for the country. If this situation persists and no proper measures are taken to secure the local feed supply, the present development of supplementary feed-based aquaculture would be fully dependent on imported feeds and would not be sustainable in future. This study strongly suggests the corresponding authority to handle the matter with proper attention considering its significant livelihood impact on the economy of the country.

Livelihood and seed mortality related vulnerability of carp seed traders of Bangladesh

Carp seed traders in Bangladesh are considered as one of the poorest, most vulnerable and least studied sub-population. Millions of fingerlings are transported annually to various parts of the country using bus tops and/or truck-beds in open and hand agitated method by the traders and as a result they encounter mass seed mortality. They are the key players in augmenting aquaculture activities by distributing fish fry and fingerlings to the fish farmers. Assessment of the seed sources and the livelihood of the traders are important to identify their point of entry to the aquaculture sector and further improvement. Status of household asset, income profiles, and risks involved were examined using DFID's sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) framework. Tools used to collect data included group discussions (GD), semi-structured and structured household (HH) survey. Samples (n=637) were randomly drawn purposefully from 10% of the carp seed traders within 11 districts. Sampled HH were classified into six land classes.

Factors affecting the adoption of carp polyculture in Bangladesh

A study was conducted to determine the factors affecting adoption of pond polyculture in six villages of three districts namely Mymensingh, Bogra and Narshingdi in Bangladesh. In Mymensingh, 75% pond owners adopted carp polyculture technology whereas in Bogra and Narshingdi only 16% and 25% pond owners, respectively adopted this technology for fish production. The production of fish per unit area was found to be 5 to 10 times higher in Mymensingh compared to that of Bogra and Narshingdi. Fish farmers identified three main problems affecting the adoption of pond polyculture viz. lack of input used in aquaculture, low fish yield and lack of credit facilities for pond polyculture. The technological awareness of the farmers directly contributed towards use of inputs in culture ponds. The positive impact of technological dissemination found on input use, fish yield and uplifted socioeconomic condition.

A study on rural women's empowerment through participation in aquaculture

The study was undertaken to understand the rural women's (i) extent of participation in some selected aquaculture practices and (ii) extent of empowerment through participation in aquaculture program. Data were collected from 200 selected rural women of two districts - Sherpur and Kishoreganj. Each of the families where the selected rural women who were involved in aquaculture under the supervision of two partner NGOs of DSAP, namely- Foundation for Human Development (FHD) and Center for Rural and Environmental Development (CRED). Both conventional and participatory methods of data collection were employed where structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used as the tools. The data collection procedure took five-months spanning from September 2004 to January 2005. Appropriate scales were developed and used in order to determine the focus variables of the study, while most analyses regarding women empowerment were done using 'before' and 'after' method. Empowerment of women was measured by five dimensions such as decision making ability, spending ability, social participation, cosmopoliteness, access to assets and resources. The ten selected aquaculture practices were: fish feeding, eradication of aquatic vegetation from fish pond, disease detection, application of fertilizer, liming, harvesting of fry and fish, fish stock management, pond excavation, use of insecticides, and sale of fry and fish. The study also aimed at determining some selected characteristics of rural women and determining relationship between their extent of empowerment and the selected characteristics. The characteristics of rural women included: age, personal education, average family education, family size, family farm size, area under aquaculture, extension media exposure, training exposure, knowledge in aquaculture, and family income. The findings revealed an overall low level of participation by rural women in aquaculture activities. However, significant level of improvement was identified regarding overall status of empowerment during the course of participation in aquaculture program under DSAP.

Marketing of value-added products from silver carp and involvement of rural people in the production and marketing chain

Cost-profit analysis and market testing of some value-added products from silver carp such as fish mince block, fish sausage, fish ball, fish stick and fish burger were analyzed during April 2001 to March 2002. The study also explored the possibility to involve rural low-income people in the production and marketing of such products. The production of silver carp was higher in greater Jessore and Mymensingh districts but the price remained low during the peak-harvesting season in October to November. The price varied with size of the fish, season, market characteristics and effective demand of the buyers. Price of about 500 g size fish was found to be Tk. 20-25/kg in the rural markets. The average size of fish in the rural markets was 3S0-550 g while that in the urban markets it was 700-1,200 g. The cost of production of the value added products and profit margin were assessed on the basis of market price of the raw material as well as that of the finished products, transportation, storage and marketing costs. The profit margins of 34%, 39%, 81% and 31% of their sales price were obtained for fish sausage, fish ball, fish stick and fish burger, respectively. Actual production cost could be minimized if the fish is purchased directly from the farmers. Consumer's acceptance and marketability tests showed that both rural and urban people preferred fish ball than fish sausage. However, response towards the taste, flavor and color of fish ball and fish sausage was found to vary with occupations and age of the consumers. A correlation was observed between age group and acceptance of new products. Fish ball, fish stick and fish burger were found to be the most preferable items to the farmers because of easy formulation process with common utensils. Good marketing linkage and requirement of capital had been identified as the prerequisites for operating small-scale business on value-added fish products.