Fishing in a river. Image credit africanfishermanonline.com

ZIMSEC O Level Geography Notes: Natural Resources: Fishing: Introduction

Introduction

  • The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries are found between the Atlantic Ocean on the west and Indian Ocean on the east.
  • The region is endowed with large fresh water bodies.
  • These are in the form of rivers, lakes, swamps and flood pains.
  • The region therefore has a wide variety of both ocean and fresh water fish species.

Importance of fishing

  • The fishing industry is becoming increasingly important in the economies of Southern-Central Africa.
  • For example Mozambique and Malawi.
  • It has made a positive contribution to the welfare of the people of Southern Africa in the following ways.
  • It is a source of food and protein.
  • It is a source of income.
  • Creates employment.
  • It provides recreation for example trout fishing in the eastern districts of Zimbabwe and tiger fishing in Lake Kariba.
  • It also provides raw materials for industry for example fish canning, fish oils, pet foods and fertilisers.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page