A qualitative evaluation of alternative development strategies for Ugandan fisheries
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The International Food Policy Research Institute
Abstract
Description
A Contribution to the Strategic Criteria for Rural Investments in Productivity (SCRIP) Program of the USAID Uganda Mission.
The fisheries sector contributes greatly to the Ugandan economy in terms of income; employment and export revenue; yet recent developments, especially the reducing fish stocks, are posing a big threat to the sector. This study was carried out to assess the current status of the Ugandan fisheries sector, suggest alternative development strategies, and evaluate their impacts on livelihoods, export revenues, and the environment. Data used in the study were obtained from the Department of Fisheries Resources, the Aquaculture Research and Development Center, Fisheries Resources Research Institute, and through a review of literature. Interviews were held with many actors in the sector. Development strategies were evaluated in terms of market conditions, technical constraints, and institutional constraints. There are indications that excessive fishing effort and the use of unsustainable fishing methods over the last decade have resulted in over exploitation of the resource above the maximum sustainable yield, due in part to ineffective national and regional regulation. Fish stocks have subsequently diminished, leading to less catch per boat and stagnation in total fish production at around 220,000 tones. In contrast, the demand for Ugandan fish in local, regional, and international markets continues to grow. Fishermen incomes have reduced tremendously, processing plants are operating below installed capacity, local processors/traders are being forced out of business, and less fish reaches consumers. Four Alternative development strategies for the Ugandan fisheries sector are identified: (1) Decreasing the supply of wild catch Nile perch to sustainable levels and then keep it constant, through stock regulation; (2) Increasing the supply of Nile perch of export quality through: (a) the introduction and promotion of cage/pond aquaculture or (b) Nile perch lake stock replenishment; (3) Increasing the supply of fish (Tilapia, Catfish, etc) for domestic and regional markets through (a) pond aquaculture, and (b) stock replenishment; and (4) Increasing the competitiveness of Ugandan fish supply chain by reducing the cost of production, transport/handling, and processing, and by improving product quality. iii Strategy 1 is likely to lead to the recuperation of fish stocks and thus increased revenue in the long run, although at the cost of reduced income in the short term. Its implementation will require increased, joint efforts by the Department of Fisheries Resources and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Organisation in national and regional regulation, requiring more resources (personnel, funds, equipment) and collection of better data on fish stocks, effort level, fish reproductive biology and resilience potential. Strategy 2 is likely to increase the supply of export quality fish, generating more export revenue and increasing access to fish by the poor. This strategy requires investments in developing Nile perch breeding technology in captivity and in research on the environmental impact of lake cage aquaculture. Strategy 3 is likely to lead to increased fish supply in local and regional markets, higher incomes to fish farmers or fishermen, and improved access to fish by the poor. While technologies are already available for breeding and farming Tilapia and Catfish, expansion of this aquaculture is constrained by low extension efforts and inadequate fry (feed) production. Strategy 4 will increase both the quality and quantity of fish as well as incomes, but its implementation would require considerable investments in infrastructure and new technologies. Increasing the efficiency of the supply chain for fish of export quality may reduce the quantity of fish available to local traders and processors.
The fisheries sector contributes greatly to the Ugandan economy in terms of income; employment and export revenue; yet recent developments, especially the reducing fish stocks, are posing a big threat to the sector. This study was carried out to assess the current status of the Ugandan fisheries sector, suggest alternative development strategies, and evaluate their impacts on livelihoods, export revenues, and the environment. Data used in the study were obtained from the Department of Fisheries Resources, the Aquaculture Research and Development Center, Fisheries Resources Research Institute, and through a review of literature. Interviews were held with many actors in the sector. Development strategies were evaluated in terms of market conditions, technical constraints, and institutional constraints. There are indications that excessive fishing effort and the use of unsustainable fishing methods over the last decade have resulted in over exploitation of the resource above the maximum sustainable yield, due in part to ineffective national and regional regulation. Fish stocks have subsequently diminished, leading to less catch per boat and stagnation in total fish production at around 220,000 tones. In contrast, the demand for Ugandan fish in local, regional, and international markets continues to grow. Fishermen incomes have reduced tremendously, processing plants are operating below installed capacity, local processors/traders are being forced out of business, and less fish reaches consumers. Four Alternative development strategies for the Ugandan fisheries sector are identified: (1) Decreasing the supply of wild catch Nile perch to sustainable levels and then keep it constant, through stock regulation; (2) Increasing the supply of Nile perch of export quality through: (a) the introduction and promotion of cage/pond aquaculture or (b) Nile perch lake stock replenishment; (3) Increasing the supply of fish (Tilapia, Catfish, etc) for domestic and regional markets through (a) pond aquaculture, and (b) stock replenishment; and (4) Increasing the competitiveness of Ugandan fish supply chain by reducing the cost of production, transport/handling, and processing, and by improving product quality. iii Strategy 1 is likely to lead to the recuperation of fish stocks and thus increased revenue in the long run, although at the cost of reduced income in the short term. Its implementation will require increased, joint efforts by the Department of Fisheries Resources and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Organisation in national and regional regulation, requiring more resources (personnel, funds, equipment) and collection of better data on fish stocks, effort level, fish reproductive biology and resilience potential. Strategy 2 is likely to increase the supply of export quality fish, generating more export revenue and increasing access to fish by the poor. This strategy requires investments in developing Nile perch breeding technology in captivity and in research on the environmental impact of lake cage aquaculture. Strategy 3 is likely to lead to increased fish supply in local and regional markets, higher incomes to fish farmers or fishermen, and improved access to fish by the poor. While technologies are already available for breeding and farming Tilapia and Catfish, expansion of this aquaculture is constrained by low extension efforts and inadequate fry (feed) production. Strategy 4 will increase both the quality and quantity of fish as well as incomes, but its implementation would require considerable investments in infrastructure and new technologies. Increasing the efficiency of the supply chain for fish of export quality may reduce the quantity of fish available to local traders and processors.
Keywords
Lake Victoria, Freshwater fisheries, Aquaculture, Nile perch, Development strategies, Evaluation, Uganda