Problems with inland fishing

Inland fishing faces a number of problems. Image credit safari365.com

• The potential of the SADC region’s fisheries is far from being realized because of several problems bedeviling the fishing industry.
• These include the following:

Sedimentation of rivers, lakes and dams.

• Most of the region’s water bodies are being heavily silted by soil and silt deposits from surrounding farm land.
• Sedimentation reduces water levels and also affects fish spawning.
• This threatens the future viability of the fishing industry.

The water weed/water hyacinth has colonized most inland fisheries

• This can be seen in Lake Chivero of Zimbabwe.
• The weed flourishes due to the sewage rich pollution flowing into water courses.
• The weed reduces oxygen levels in water, blocks sunlight and alters water temperatures.
• The change in environment reduces fish quantities in inland fisheries.

Introduction of foreign fish varieties

• This can be done in some fisheries in order to boost production.
• This can at times have negative effects as some fish are predators to most fish varieties.

Poor management of the fisheries

• Poor management of fisheries has resulted in over-fishing, which in turn has threatened the sustainability of most inland fisheries.
• This is mainly a result of lack of trained human resources in the management and conservation of fish resources.
• Lack of capital to purchase appropriate fishing equipment such as fibre glass motor boats, nets and refrigeration.
• Poor infrastructure such as roads, refrigerated vans, marketing facilities, canning facilities. Most fisheries are inaccessible.
• Inappropriate fishing technology for example fish poisoning, fish traps and canoes.

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