Author(s): Alemu Lema Abelti, Assefa Mitike Janko and Tilahun Geneti Abdi

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the existing fisheries production systems in five different rivers namely; Ganale, Awata and Dawa (Guji zone) and Gidabo and Galana (Borana zone). Structured questionnaire was employed for data collection and interview. It was shown that three fish species viz. Bagrus, Mijligie/Eel (Anguilla bengalensis labiata), Barbus species were harvested by the fishermen. Fishery production system found was characterized as agro-pastoral systems. Cattle were the dominant livestock species, followed by goats. Some crop agriculture like teff, (Ergrostis tef), maize (Zea mays), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and papaya (Carica papaya) were produced. The most important fishing gear used to catch the fish was hand line and/or long line. Fish processing method exercised by the fishermen were gutting and occasionally filleting. Salting of gutted fish was rarely practiced by some fishermen, however, the consumer do not prefer salted fish. The fishermen methodically screw the fish’s labial with thread/twine then place back the fish underneath of water after collected to keep the fish fresh until consumer come to buy it. Fish processing (value addition) was rarely practiced and in most cases, the fisher sold whole fish which caused low price at landing sites as well as secondary markets. Fishermen sold there fish to fish trader, consumers or hotel owners. The fishermen indicated that, the amount of fish produced from the river was increasing but the time to set and haul hand line to catch a single fish was getting longer. The measurement unit to sell there fish was size of fish, so larger fish fetch higher price. It was identified that the reasons for the underutilization of the fishery resource in the studied areas were; rudimentary and labor intensive fishing gears, inaccessibility to potential market areas, absence of the use of methods that could prolong the shelf life of products for safe, transportation to distant potential market, absence of efficient fishing gears and lack of training and extension services. In all of the fishing areas fishermen were not able to increase their catch because of scarcity of modern fishing gears and poor road access to the potential markets.



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