Assessing fish production, demand and supply in the selected districts of North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess fish production, supply and demand in selected districts of North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia to generate base-line data that would help in the proper and sustainable utilization of fishery and water resources. Structured and semi structured questionnaires were employed as a means of data collection tools. Respondents from five districts that is, Merhabete, Menz Mama, Menz Gera, Shewa Robit and Ataye were selected using purposive sampling techniques. From each district, consumers, producers, fish traders, stakeholders and fish experts were selected purposively. The fishing and aquaculture activities of the area were performed by part-time fishermen (producers) mainly for family consumption and sale on small scale during dry season. The fishing gears commonly used are hooks of different sizes, traps (fish basket) locally made and rarely gillnet. Though the severity of the constraints varies from one district to the other, the main fish production constraints in the areas were low fish supply, lack of awareness, lack of support, lack of facilities, low profit, and distance from market place. The fish demand and supply in the study area is unbalanced. Lates niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias and Bagrus dockmak are the fish species preferred by consumers in the study area. Continuous support, awareness creation and promotion of local fish farming are important to integrate fish in their diet to scale up fish demand and supply in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. \n \n Key words: Aquaculture, fish demand and supply, fish production, food security.