Utilization of small water bodies, Botswana: Report of activities towards fisheries exploitation
ALCOM has been assisting the Fisheries Section, Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana in implementing the project “Development of small reservoir fisheries”. During phase one, a socio-economic survey around seven smaller reservoirs showed that there is sparse hook and line fishing on those reservoirs. The survey repudiated earlier assumptions that people in eastern Botswana do not eat fish and suggested that availability and knowledge concerning how to cook fish are the main constraints preventing people from eating more fish. The survey also concluded that fishing is a part-time activity. These findings led to the second phase with a biophysical study of eight selected reservoirs through test fishing using the Drottningholm method. A total of 15 different species were found; the CPUE was calculated both by species and by total catch for each reservoir. The catch was dominated in mass by Oreochromis andersonii in four reservoirs, by Clarias gariepinus in three and by small Barbus spp i n one reservoir. During the second phase, Semarule dam (37 ha when full) was chosen as a reference for a one-year test-fishing cycle. Five different species were found but catches were usually dominated in mass by O. andersonii. Seasonal changes could be registered. During the period October – December 1990 and September – October 1991 the catch was dominated by the small pelagic Barbus paludinosus. These two phases brought home the fact that fish are there but the stock is unexploited becau se of the lack of fishing knowledge of the local population who would like more fish if it was possible. ALCOM and the Fisheries Department therefore started a third phase in 1992 which focused more on exploitation of Small Water Bodies than on assessment. Through collaboration with the Water Development Section (WDS) in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), fisheries has now been included in the water development policy as an activity in multipurpose dams.
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| Format: | Project biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1994
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| Online Access: | https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/AC999E http://www.fao.org/3/a-ac999e.htm |
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