Summary of Dabus Irrigation Project Fishery Development Study

/I CC f^Z} ■ I^r^(J \r A'-C'
s
Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
DABUS IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DETAIL DESIGN PROJECT
VOLUME - IV
Part x - Fishery Development
Study Final Report
Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise
P O Box 2561
Tel + 251 11 661 45 01
Fax *251 11661 06 96 Email: w.w.d.5.e@ethione.et Bob Marley Avenue,
Addis Ababa EthiopiaMinistry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity ImgaVon De sign and Study Project
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Study Fin at Report
DABUS IRRIGATION DESIGN AND STUDY PROJECT
FISHERY DEVELOPMENT STUDY FINAL FEASIBILITY REPORT
January, 2016
This  document has  been prepared for the titled project or named part thereof and should not be relied upon or used (or any  other project without an independent check  being carried out as  to its  suitability and prior written authority  of Water Warks  Design and Supervision Enterprise being obtained, WWDSE accepts  no responsibility  or liability  for the consequence of this  document being used for a purpose other than the purposes  for which it was  commissioned Any  person using or retying on the document for such other purpose agrees, and will by  such use or reliance be taken to confirm hrs agreement to indemnify  WWDSE for all loss  or damage resulting Lhere from WWDSE accepts  no responsibility  or liability  for this  document to any  party  other than the person by  whom i! was commissioned.
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January. 2016Ministry of Wa'cr. 'rrigalian anti BeclriciEy Dabus Irrigation and Study Prcjecl
Volume IV - part X Fishery Development Study Final Report
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VOLUME-l
VOLUME -11
CONTENTS OF FEASIBILITY REPORT
Main Report
Hydrology and .Climate Study Report
VOLUME - III                        Geological and Geotechnical Investigation Report
Annex-I : Geological Mapping
Annex-Il: Geoohysical Survey
Annex-Ill Geotechnical Factual Report (Trench, Core Drilling, Insitu Testing. Test Pit and Laboratory Testing)
VOLUME - IV
Sectoral Studies
Pari I
Part II
Pari III
Part IV
PartV
Agronomy Study
Sod Survey and Land Suitability Study
Annex-Soil Survey Data
Livestock Study
Watershed Management Study
Socio-economy Study
Part VI                   Market Opportunity Study
Pan Vll                  Organiz^lio^^ Management Study
Pari VIII                  Environ tn e nt affmpacl Assessmenl Study Pari ix                    Hydrogeology Study
Pari X
Fishery Development Study
VOLUME - V
RAP and Infrastructure Study
Pari 1
Part II
RAP
Infrastructure Study
VOLUME - VI
Dam and Appurtenant Structures
■I
■d
Hi Hi Hi
W
Parll
Pari 11
Feasibility Design Report
Annex-I: Alternative Dam Option Report
Drawings
. VOLUME-VIII
Irrigation and Drainage System
Parti Feasibility Design Report
Part II                   Drawings                 j
•
VOLUME-VI II
Financial* ^odjgdpnomic Analysis
Waterworks Design and
Supervision Enterprise
January, 2016Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity 
Volume IV - Part X
_Dabusjrrigat -n Design and Study Project__________________ ___________ Fishery Development Study Final Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS............. ........ ...... . ....................................................................................................... ................ ill
List of Tables ............................................. . ......... .„¥....................... .......... .............................. ,........................................ v|
List of Figures................................. *.............................. ,.................................... ...................... ................................... . vii
Utt
of
MAPSvii
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS.............................m.:............................................................................................. vlii
EX ECUT IV SUMMARY...................... .......................................................................................................................... ix
1  INTRODUCTION.......................... ........ ............................................ ........................................... ................................ 1
1              1              Overview of Fishery Resource Base in Ethiopia ..................................................................... 1
1 2   Overview of Fishery Resource Base in Benshangul Gumuz               Region ............. ............... ......... 4
1.2J General........................... . ............................. *......................... ............................ *............................... 4
1.2           2 Frsh Resource Potentral of Major Rivers in the       Region....................................................... 4
1.2.3        Fish Species Diversity in the Region. ........... ... .......................... ..................... . ......................... 7
1 3 Objectives of the Study.......................................................... ............................ ...................... . .................. ♦.....8
1.3.1      General Objectives........................................................... .............................................. ................ 8
1 3.2 Specific Objectives............. ................................ ............................................................... .................. 8
1.4     Scope of the Study.................. .............................................. ................ ,.................,..................................... 0
1.5     Methodology and Approach........ ................. ..................... ..... ........ ....... ....................................................... 9
1.5           1 Pre-Field Work................. ...................................—................ .............. ........ —...................... 10
1.5.2      FieldWork .... ..................................................... ........................................ ................... ...............10
1.5.3. Post Field Work...................... ........ ........................... .............................................. ......................... 18
2. FISHERY Development Policies and Strategies............................. ..... .. ............ . ...................................................... 19
2.1     Agricultural Policy and Strategies ................................. w,,.w+, .................. . ............... .. .............................. 19
2 2 Agricultural Development Led Industrialization {ADLI)............................................... ____.......... ................... 19
2.3           Growth and Transformation Planj2g.J0^11 - 2014/15)............................................ *..............................20
2 4    Fishery Development and UliiizatronJ^roclamBlion .................................... ............................. .... ................20
2.5     National Aquaculture Development Strategy Framework of Ethiopia.......................................................... 21
3    Review of Previous Studies........................ ...................... .......... ........................................ ....................................... 22
3.1     HalcrowULG Limited {1900-1982)........................................................................... .......... .. ................ ........22
3.2      Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2010).................................... . ................ . ......................... 22
3 3 Ministry of Agriculture (2011)...................................................... .......................... ........................ ....................22
3 4 SID-Co ns utt-Support Integrated Development (2010)......................................... . ...................... ,.................. 23
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA.................................. ................................................................................. 24
4.1     Physical Features............ .......... .......... ................................. ...................................................................... 24
4.1.1       Geog ra ph ical Location and S i ze.................................... ...... ........................ ...........................24
4              12 Soil,.................. . ................. J?......................................................................... ....................... 24
4.1.3       Climate................................................................ ...... ................................................................... 26
4              14 Waler Resources............................................................................... ..................................... 26
4.2     Socio-economic and Environmental Conditions.......................................... ......................... .................. 28
4.2.1       The People................................ ............................................................................................... ..... 28
4.2.2       Farming System........................ . ...................... ..................................... ...................................... 29
4.2.3       Land Use/land Cover of the Project Command Area .............................. ............ ........................ 30
4.2.4       Infrastructure..... ........................ ............................. . ....................... ............... ..............................30
4.3      Institutions Involved in Fishery Development . . ...........................................................................................32
4.3.1       National Fishery & AquaticResearch Center (NFALRC).......................................................... . 32
4 3.2      Bureau of Agriculture!
.......................................................... ........................... 33
4 3.3      Assosa Agricultural Research Center.................... ....................................................................... 34
4 3.4      Development Activities of NGOs ............................ .. .................................................................  35
4.3.5       Training Institutions..............................................................................................................       .35
4.4     Fishery Resource Base in the Project Command Area....................................................... ......... .36
4.4.1       Fishery Resource Potential of Major Rivers...........................................................................      36
4.4.2       Fish Production Potential and Annual Catch in the Rivers......................................................... 38
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44 3       Fish Species Diversity in the Project Area
4.4.4       Fishing Gears and Methods Employed .......................
4.4   5   Fish Handling and Preservation....-
44.6
4.47
448
Fish Utilization Patterns ............................... ................
Fish Marketing and Market Outlets 
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Study Final Report
..40
.41 45
.46
.....49
Fisher/ Development Endeavors in the Project Area
4.5 Attitude of the Community towards the Project ....................................... 5.      FISHERY DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL'i«<l THE PROJECT AREA
6
Constraints To Fishery development ......................................................
7       FISHERY DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS.............................................. 7.1     Capture Fishery in the Reservoir
61
7-1-1
712
7.1-3
7.1 4
Objective................ ———
Rationale and Justifications Strategies for Reservoir Management
Project Components...................................
7.2
Capture Fishery in Irrigation Canals
72 1       Objective..................................... - -
7.2.2      Rationale and Justifications ...................................... ..... 7.2.3      The Structure of the Main Canals....................................
724
Limitations  of  Canal  Systems  for  Fish  Production
7.3
725        Potential of Canals in Fish Production........................... 7.2.6  Management of Fisheries in Canals
7.2.7      Project Components
Riverine Fishery.........................
7 3.1      Objective....................................... ,...... ...... 7.3.2      Rationale and Justifications—...................... 7 3.3      The  River  System  and  Landing^Site's... 7.3.4      Fish Production Poteplia^ ig^ne Rivers
............
7.4
7.3-5      Project Components Aquaculture
7.4   1   physical Resources .................
■♦■
7.4.2 7.4.3 744 7.4.5
Systems of Fish farming.....................
Integrated Fish Farming Systems
Establishing Fish Seed Multiplication Farm (FSMF)
Fish Species..................................................................
7.4 6      Fish Nutrition ...............................................
8.
9
Project
implementation
Support
Services 
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN............................................... .......................... 9.1     Implementation Schedule...
9.2
Implementation Strategies 
9,2.1
9 22
Extension
,....„.....
Community Participation.,^,.....................................................................
9.2.3      Formation
of
Cooperatives 
9.2.4
9.2.5
9.2.6
Incentives 
Capacity Building...........................................................
The Need for Regional Fishery Proclamation and Guidelines. .
93
Implementation Cost
.........—. ................ .
10
It
PROJECT Benefits and Beneficiaries... environmental impacts
11.1 Impacts o’ the Dam
.....
...........
111.1 Changes to the Aquatic Communrtbes. 11.1.2      Effects in River Channels 
11.1.3 Pollution
................................................... 52
...57
59
......go
.....61
61
......61
,69
73
.. .78
79
.79 79
02
......B3
85
88
91
.... ..91
..... 91
92
92
.......93
96
....... 97
97
.   .101 101
.    -102
.... 103
.... 104
.....107
107
107
,,...107
..... 107
.... JOB
.....109
_J09 109
..,..,109 111
113
...  .113 113
.113
....... 114
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Volume IV - Pad X Fishery Development Study F<nal Report
12.    MONITORING AND EVALUATION ............ ............................. .......................................................................... ....... 115
13.    CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ................................................. . ......................... . ................................ 116
13.1     Conclusion ...... ..................................................... ............ ............... ................................. ......................... 116
13.2     Recommendations....... ..................................... „........ ........................ ............................. .............. ......... .....117
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................................................119
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Volume iV - Part X Fish cry Devt-kjprnent Slu-ay FinalReport
List of Figures
Figure 1.1,: Planning data collection and field Investigation at Bambasi Town................................ ............................... 13
Figure 1 2 Enumerators and supervisors training. Menge Wereda (lop) and Oda Bildiglu Wereda
(bottom)........... .......... ...... ........ .............. ............ ............... TM.... ............... ................................... ............. . ... .14
Figure 13: Consultation with kebele administration and SMS, Belfudi Kebele...................................................................14
Figure  1  4  Enumerators  filling  in  questionnaire   at  Eda   Dabus   kebele  of  Bambasi  wereda.  Note  that
the third person is an nterpreter...................................... ............ ................. .............. ._.«.................. . ................. 15
Figure 1.5. Pioneering fisher's group at Bambasi Wereda............................................................................................ ....15
Figure   1   6:   Community   consultation.   Dabus   Atimbaqo   and   Mugufude   kebels   (top).   Fudindu   Kebele
(middle), Belfudl Kebele (bottom)................................................... ..................................... ................................... 17
Figure 1 7:      Wereda level stakeholder consultation, Oda Bildiglu Wereda...............................................................   17
Figure 7 1;      Maximum canal x-section of the left bank main canal.............................................................................. 80
Figure 7.2:      Maximum canal x-section of the right bank main canal .......................................................................   BO
Figure 8.1: Organizational Chart..................................................... -.......... .. ........ ......... .. .................. .......................... 105
List of MAPS
Map 1.1. Permanent Rivers of the Region .. .
...... .........................-.......... ........... ......... ................. ........... —6
Map 4.1: Location map of Dabus Irrigation Project command area ..................... ................ . ..........................................25
Map 4 2: Drainage Map of the project command and reservoir areas...............................................~.....................-...... 26
Map 4.3 Land Use/land Cover map oF Dabus Irrigation Project Command Area .................................................... 31
Map 4 4 Geographic distribution of some landing sites and fish ponds in the project area.......................................... . 54
Map 7.1 Location of the Reservoir Areas.................... ..........................................................................-------- -------- ... 62
Map 7.2: The Reservoir and the Project Command Area................................. ..... . ..
......... ................ ......... ..... 53
Map 7.3: Permanent and intermittent Rivers Feeding the Reservoir...................................................... ...................... 65
Map 7.4 Left and right bank irrigation mam canals of the Dabus Reservoir... ............................................................... 81
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Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Study Final Report
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ADU AsARC CSA ETB
F&EDO FDRE GDP
1 CL ARM IDA
IDS lLRk
Agricultural Development Led Industrialization
Ass053 Agricultural Research Center
Central Statistical Agency
Ethiopian Birr
Finance and Economic Development Department.
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Gross Domestic Product
International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management International Development Agency
Institute of Development Studies International Livestock Research Institute
MoAFtC                       Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development
MoFA
Ma FED
MoWlE
Mt>WR
NFALRC
NGO
PFS
SC
SOPRP
WBISPP
WWDSE
ILRI
PADS
FAO
NFALRC
MoFA
masl
ESAP
BGRS
GPS
SPSS
GTP
ADLI
SDPRP
PASDEP
MDG
Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise
Ministry of Federal Affairs
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy
Ministry of Water Resources
National Fishery and Aquatic Lafe Research Center
Non'Governmental Organization
Permanent Farming Systems
Shifting Cultivation
Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme Woody Biomass Inventory and Strategic Planning Project Waler Works Design and Supervision Enterprise International Livestock Research Institute
Pastoral Areas Development Study
Food and Agricultural Organizations
National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center Ministry of Federal Affaires
ril' ■
Meters above sea level
’ i* ffcr
Ethiopian Society of Animal Production
Benshangul Gumuz Region State
The geographic positioning system
Statistical Package for Social Sciences
Growth and Transformation Plan
Agricultural Development Led industrialization
Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Program Plan Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty Millennium Development Goal
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January. 2016Ministry of Wafer, Irrigation and Electricity Cfebus Irrigation Design and Study Project
EXECUT1V SUMMARY
Volume IV Part X Fishery Develop<nen[ Study Final He port
Fisher/ Development Study  was  carried out at feasibility  level far Dabus  Irrigation Development Project in Benshangu! Gumuz  Region, The survey  conducted at fishermen Fish consumers, community and stakeholder consultations, secondary  data collected from relevant offices  and that Df own observations  indicate that there is  a need for fishery development to enhance household income, reduce poverty  and food insecurity  among artisanal flshing communities  in the project1 area by  training them in modern fishing techniques, equipping them with boats^d fishing gear and building their capacity  to market their catch domestically and in external markets.
The study methodology designed was of a mixed approach for the fieldwork and includes fishermen and fish consumers level survey where 44 and 39 households, respectively in 9 potential rural kebeles of Assosa, Bambasi, Menge and Oda Bildiglu weredas falling into lhe project command area were interviewed and consulted on the status of fish production and consumption in the project area: discussions  held with key  informanls, stakeholders, pertinent authorities, experts, farmers and NGOs operating In the project area communily consultation and that of own observations. Secondary  data have also been collected by reviewing relevant reports and previous studies from relevant offices, pertinent experts and development agents in the project area. The collected primary and secondary data were analyzed using qualitative and descriptive statistical approaches.
Subsistence based fishery is practiced in some perennial rivers such as Dabus, Tumet, Afa, Dale and Durbalse Dabus  River is  endowed with diverse fish species  and production potential while the latter two are outside lhe project command area. All river systems in the project area and major tributaries of Dabus River harbor the same fish species. There are mainly five fish species in the water bodies;'of’the project area viz, Oriochromis niloticus, Clarias ganpinus. Barbus intermedius, llabd^forskalii and Mormyrus niloticus in that order of abundance. The first three are of a commercial importance with Oriochromis niloticus and Barbus intermedius being lhe first choices of the consumers where ever In the project area.
The fish yields of lhe potential rivers in lhe project command and that of lhe reservoir have been estimated using the Welcome's (1905) and Crut's (1992} models that relates the fish yield to the length of the main channel (km) and area in square kilometer, respectively. The total fish production estimate of the project command area is about 130 4 ton/year of which the conlnbution of the Teservoir, irrigation main canals and potential perennial rivers account for 69.9 ton. 50.5 ton and 10.0 ton per anribrn, respectively The contribution of Dabus River accounts for about 9.7 ton per annum which covers about 97% of lhe command area's total fishery potential of the rivers while lhe yield estimate of the same river in the region is over 108 tons.
The primary  beneficiaries  of the integrated fisheries  development are the farming communities located in and around the proposed reservoir and command areas of Dabus Irrigation Project The yield from lhe reservoir alone (69.893 kg) will raise lhe fish consumption of the households in the project command area by about 54 kg per annum and the per capita consumption by 13.0 kg/ye^Tat the project full development, which is much higher than the regional and national averages of 4 kg per person per year and 240 gram per person per year, respectively Apart from these about 10,624 kg and 2Q.214 kg fish meal
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Volume IV- Pad X F’shcry Development Stddy c,imi Report
can be produced from the reservoir fishery and main canal systems, respectively, which will fetch a lucrative income Tor the fishing communities The poultry production project proposed for the same project area will also benefit from the nutritious fish meal and bust the fertility and eng production. Moreover, with lhe increase in catch, the fish processing, marketing and net making activities will emerge as job opportunities to the surrounding communities.
Though fishery  in the project area is  artisanal, characterized by  back  warded localiy  made gears  which are inefficient and mainly  for subsistence, the sub-sector contributes  to lhe household nutrition as it is a significant diet for Berta ethnic group in the project area; is of special significance for food security and food self-sufficiency in the project area as most of the fish caught is going to be consumed domestically mostly by local communities, provides balanced diets for the rural people as it is available throughout the year and hence improve the health status  of the society  by  providing high quality  protein, and creates  employment opportunity for members of lhe society and few alternative income generating opportunities
The major fishery  development potentials  and opportunities  identified in lhe project area include, rampant perennial rivers  with untapped fish stocks, suitable agro-ecology  for integration and intensification using the system of both capture fisheries  and aquaculture, availability of large water bodies wilh fisher/ potential, which are of commercial importance; an aggressive settlement programe underway  which is  a prerequisite for capture fisheries and fish farming; encouraging policies  and strategies  with respect to agricultural development In general and fishery  development in particular, availability  of reasonable amount of agro-industrial by-products, which could be used as food for fish farming; exislmg and growing demand for fish and fish products at national, regional and export market in lhe nearby  countries. Moreover, the region has  enormous  fisheries  and aquaculture investment opportunities, which includes: 1) reservoirs built for irrigation and other purposes can directly be used for fish production, 2) lhe temperature of most parts  of the Benshangul Gumuz Region is warmer which is excellent to produce Nile tilapia and other tropical fishes, 3) the establishment of the renaissance dam where a number of cages can be fixed.
In spite of lhe above mentioned polehtf^l'  and opportunities, however, lhe fishery development is  constrained by  a 'edmof factors. The major once include; lack  of appropriate fishing gears, lack  of attention io the sub-sector and extension support, in availability  of trained manpower even at regional bureau of agriculture offices, poor infraslruclure and marketing route, knowledge gaps, low level of fishing organizations  and lack of credit facilities to finance fishing operations.
Therefore, to overcome these serious problems and guarantee sustainable fish production in lhe project area, irrigation development should be integrated with fishery  development programe through capture fisheries  in reservoir, irrigation canal systems  and potential perennial rivers  through Intensive training.brid extension services, input supply, cooperative promotion and marketing facilitation. Intensive fish farming in form of cage, pen and even fish pond at settling farmers'  backyard to bust the fish supply  both for home consumption and marketing is another promising intervention wilh lucrative returns.
To guarantee and increase lhe bargaining power of lhe fishers organizing fishermen around the reservoir, irrigation canals and major potential rivers is a prerequisite. Here it is proposed to establish a fisher's  cooperative under the name "Dabus  Fishers  Cooperative" around the reservoir through amalgamation of fishermen’s groups already established or freshly
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Volume fV - Par! X Fishery Devetaprner.| Study Final Report
organized  Fishermen  around  the  major  perennial  rivers  v/ill  be  organized  in  to  fishermen’s groups rn therr respective kebeles and supplied with the necessary training and inputs.
The total investment cost for the fisher/ development program is  estimated to be ETB 4,003,000 Each participating farmer will have a gross  income of about ETB 86,677. ETB 70,560 ar.d ETB 20,217 per year from the envisaged sub-projects  at reservoir, irrigation main canals and riverine fishery, respectively or ETB 7,223, ETB 5,880 and ETB 1.685 per month from an overall fisher/ development venture, excluding the family  labor income, respectively
Although the reservoir and canal systems  create impact on the existing ecological environment in general and fish resources  in particular, the proposed dam will bring many positive benefits. Generally, the construction of the dam and irrigation canals  on the Dabus River will not have significantly  negative environmental impacts  if appropriate measures during construction and implementation phases  are given due considerations. The positive impacts  overweigh which include household food self-sufficiency  and food security, improved nutrition and health status, job creation and income generation, diversification of aquatic biota, control of water bome diseases and attraction of aquatic birds
In the recommendation part, it was  giVenj emphasis  to organize fishermen in form of fishermen's  groups  and cooperative^, p'fffFiwn of saving and credit services; establishment of government or private fish seed multiplication farms (fsmf) within the close vicinity of the project areas; draft the regional fishery  policy  based on the Federal Policy; reconsider the organizational structures  of the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development by  Including senior and junior fishery  development experts; encourage investors  to implement medium and large-scale commercial fish farming In the project area and at regional level at large; ban the illegal and devastating fishing practice using poisonous  and agricultural chemicals; conduct an applied research in the areas of technological choice, assess the fish stock and production potential of water bodies, conduct studies on the breeding, feeding and migration patterns of fish species in the water bodie£*8f ‘the region.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Study Final Report
Jf.
This Fishery Development Feasibility Report is part oi the Dabus Irrigation Development Project Feasibility  Study  and Detail Design for the development of Irrigation scheme in Benshangul Gumuz Region, Assosa Zone. Pursuant to its agreement with Ministry of Water and Energy (MWE). Water Works Design and SuDervision Enterprise (WWDSE) has taken the responsibility Io carry out feasibility study and detail design of irrigation project in Menge, Oda Bildiglu, Assosa and Bambasi weredas of Assosa Zone,
'I his report covers the past studies carried out at Pre-feasibility and Feasibility ’evel by Halcrow-ULG Ltd for the Dabus Irrigation Developmenl Project carried out from May 1980 to February  1982 It also covers  other related studies  and statistical reports  of the Central Statistical Authority (CSA), Population and Housing Census of 2007, MoARD (2010), SID- Consutt-Support Integrated Development (2010), PADS (2004) and that of WBISPP (2003)
1.1   Overview of Fishery Resource Base in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a land-locked country and depends on its inland water bodies for fish supply for its population According to FAO (2014), the country's water bodies are classified into four systems  lakes, reservoirs, rivers  and srrja.ll water bodies. The lakes  and rivers  support highly diverse aquatic life, ranging from giant mammals like the African Hippopotamus, to microscopic fauna and flora The water bodies support a diverse aquatic life including more than 180 fish species of which about 40 are endemic. Including exotic species, about ten different species have been used for stocking artificial water bodies.
There are over 30 major lakes  in the country; Lakes  Tana and Shalla are the longest (3,150km ) and the deepest 266 m deep) lakes, respectively (NFALRC, 2012). The counlry's 
3
water bodies have a surface area estimated at 7,334 km  of major lakes and reservoirs, and
?
275 km  of small water bodies, with 7,185 km of rivers within the country and the total annual
1
production potential has been estimated at 51,481 metric tons through development of new constructed reservoirs, under-exploited river fisheries  and aquaculture (FAO, 2003 and 2014). According to Dereje Tewabe and Goraw Goshu (2009), however, estimates  of maximum sustainable yields mrght allow a production growth between 30,000 to 40,000 tons per year, from the mam lakes only. The rivers fishery potential is roughly estimated at about 5,000 ton/year. Despite this potential, Ethiopian fishery is poorly developed and has marginal contribution to the country’s GDP.
However, (he potential exploitation of this immense fish resources accounts for only about 30% from the overall water bodies^ 45^fegprn lakes, 14% from major rivers, 31% from reservoirs and dams and 16% from small Ubter bodies (Table 1.1 - 1.5). The total landing
5
estimated in 2001 was at 15,309 tons, which is about 30 % of the estimated potential (FAO, 2003), and in 2002 was at 12,291 tons which is 26.5 % of the available potential (MoARD, 2003). This landing comes from the major lakes such as Chamo Ziway, Langano, Awassa, Abaya, Tana and Koka reservoir. According to Dereje Tewabe and Goraw Goshu (2009), the bulk of the catch originates from 4 lakes: Tana (25%), Ziway and Langano (19%), Chamo (18%) and Abaya (12%). The main commercial species contributing to the total landing are Oreochromis  mloticus, Labeo horl, Clarias  gariepinus, Barbus  sp, and Lates  niloticus (Ay ale w 2006 in Ay teg eb Anleneh, 2013),'- ''
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Table 1.1 Summary of Ethiopian waler bodies and lheir fisheries
Vofurne IV - Pad X Fishery Development Study Final Report
Water body type
Extern
Fishery potential ,, (lone/year)
Catch
(tone; 2001}
Off take
Major lakes
6 477 km’.,..
23 342
10 598
45%
Major reservoirs and dams
057 krn
--- - bl.
4 399
1 366
31%
Small waler bodies
_
275 kmT
1 952
303
16%
Rivers
7185 km
21 788
3 121
14%
Total
Source: FAO (2014) Table 1.2. Major lakes
51,481
15,389
30%
Water body
Altitude
Im)
.. '
Shoreline
(km)
Mean depth
(m)
Area
2
(km )
Fishery 
potential
(lone/yr)
Catch
(2001, lone)
Off take
Fan a
1829
385
0
3 500
10000
1 454
15%
Ardlbo and Lugo
670
-
37
51
400
330
03%
Ziway
184 fl!
102
2.5
434
2 941
2 454
83%
Langano i
______________
Abijala
1585
78
12
225
240
151
63%
1578
7.6
205
2 000
500
25%
Shalla
1558
87
250
1 300
10
1%
Awassa
1708
52
11
97
611
853
140%
Abaya
1285
i
,
225
.
.1 is 17 I 7 
-hi*../.-
1 070
600
412
6S%
jChamo
1282
118 F
>'   f            6
>w
■ ■» - 1
551
4 500
4 359
97%
Turkana   (from   1.3% of total area)
365
—
33
94
750
75
10%
Subtotal
6,477
23.342
10,590
45%
Source: FAO (2014)
Table 1 3 Major Rivers
River
Total length
(km)
River length within Ethiopia (km)
Fishery potential
(tone/yesr)
Catch
(2001, tone)
Off take
i Abay
1450
800
2 133
213
10%
IWabi Shebele
1 130
1 000
3 333
333
10%
'Genale
858
480
768
77
10%
i Awash
1 200
1 200
4 000
480
10%
■Omo
760
760
1 925
481
25%
'Tekeze
606
608
1 232
123
10%
Mereb
440
440
645
65
10%
Barg
277
277
256
25
10%
Angeteb
220
220
161
15
10%
Subtotal
6 943
5 785 J.
15 255
1 814
12%
Miscellaneous small rivers
if                    ; w'■ H ' 1 400 -  '
f
:
6 533
1 307
20%
Total rivers
7 185
21 78B
3 121
14%
Source: FAO (2014)
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Fable 1 1: Summary of Ethiopian water bodies and lheir fisheries
Water body type
Extent
Fishery potential
(lone/year)
Catch
(lone. 2001)
Off take
Major lakes
6 477 km'
23 342
10 598
45%
Ma;or reservoirs and dams
857 km’
4 399
1 366
31%
Small water bodies
275 km" »
(           1 952
303
16%
Rivers
7 185 km »r3*A
21 750
3 121
14%
Total
51.481
15,389
30%
Source FAO (2014)
Table 1.2 Major lakes
Water body
Altitude
(m)
I Shoreline (km)
Mean depth
(m)
Area
5
(km )
Fishery 
potential
(tone/yr)
Catch
{2001; lone)
Off lake
[Tana
1829
385
8
3 500
IQ 000
1 454
15%
Arditxj and Lugo
670
37
51
400
330
83%
21 way
104H
102
25
434
2 941
2 454
83%
pangano
1585
70
12
225
240
151
63%
Abijata
1578
-
76
205
2 000
500
25%
Shells
155B
87
250
1 300
10
1%
Awassa
1705
52
11
97
611
853
140%
Abaya
1285
225
7
1 070
600
412
69%
Chamo
1282
116
6
551
4 500
4 359
97%
Turkana  (from  1.3% of total area)
365
11
33
* "'^1 ■
94
750
75
10%
Subtotal
- --
6,477
23,342
10.590
45%
Source: FAO (2014) Table 1.3: Major Rivers
R ver
Total length
(km)
River length within Ethiopia (km)
Fishery potential
(tone/year)
Catch
(2001; lone)
Off lake
Abay
1 450
800
2 133
213
10%
Wabi Shekels
1 130
1 000
3 333
333
10%
Genale
858
480
768
77
10%
Awash
1 200
1 200
4 800
480
10%
Omo
760
760
1 925
481
25%
Tekeze
608
606
1 232
123
10%
Mereb
440
440
645
65
10%
Bare
277
277
256
26
10%
Angereb
220
220
161
16
10%
Subtotal
6 943
5 785
15 255
1 814
12%
Miscellaneous small rivers
1 400
_      6 533
1 307
20%
Total rivers
Source: FAO (2014)
7 185..
21 788
3 121
14%
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January, 2016Ministry ol Water. Irrigation and Electricity Dabus Irrigation Design and Study Project Table 1 4 Major reservoirs and dams
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■
Reservoir or asm
Area
2
(km )
Fishery potential
(tone/year)
Catch
(2001; lone)
Offtake
Koka
255
1 194
625
52%
Fincha-Amerti
250
1 330
333
25%
Beseka
39
205
41
20%
Denbl
72
303
77
20%
Melka Wakens
82
. -.434
108
25%
Ab a-samuel
44,<
*■:7 _        234
59
25%
Alwero dam
74
394
79
20%
Hashengie
20
106
21
20%
Small Abya
12
66
13
20%
Wedecha
10
53
11
20%
Subtotal
357
4 399
1 366
31%
Table 1.5; Small water bodies
Water body
Arcs 
3
(km )
Fishery potential
(lone/year)
Catch
(2001, lone)
Off take
Southern region (Cheleloka Swamp)
100
423
21
5%
Gambella (swarnps and flood plains)
125
529
132
25%
Small reservoirs and ponds
50
1 Q00
150
15%      1
1 Subtotal
275
1 952
303
16%
Source FAO (2014)
However, the degree of exploitation between individual lakes or reservoirs is not uniform The fish resource exploitation report of MoARD (2003), indicated that, Lake Awassa, Chamo, Ziway, Abaya, Langano, Koga*reservoir and Lake Tana have been utilized 140%, 97%, 83%, 69%, 63%, 89% and 14.54 %, respectively. Almost more than 50 percent of the total potential of the country's lake fishery found to be available in Lake Tana. However from the exploitation data given in Table 1.2 it could be understood that. Lake Tana is  still underutilized and its  contribution to food self-sufficiency  is  negligible compared to other inland water bodies of the country. Convenient road connections and proximity to the capital city had given the rift valley lakes priority in fishery development and research programs Hence they have been and still are the main Tish suppliers to the big towns.
With respect to per capita Tish consumption, worldwide, there are significant differences among countries, with per capita apparent consumption ranging from less than 1 kg person - 1 year-1 to more than 100 kg person-1 year-1 in some exceptional ones (FAO, 2009 in
Aytegeb Anteneh, 2013) Though Ethiopians are traditionally meat eaters, eating habits have been shifting in favor of fish in areas and communities where there is regular and sufficient supply. In those communities, annual Fish consumption can exceed 10 kg/person. However, the current per capita fish production is less than 240 g per person per year; whereas per capita fish consumption of neighboring East Africa Countries  such as  Uganda, Kenya. Sudan, Somalia arid Djibouti are 35.7, ^4^(4.4, 1.6 and 3.3-kilo gram's  respectively 
(Aytegeb Anteneh, 2013).
s.
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1.2  Overview of Fishery Resource Base in Benshangul Gumuz Region
1.2.1 General
The Benishangul-Gumuz Region is one of’the nine federal regions in the country covering a total area of 50,699 kin! which is about 4 6 % of the country and inhabited by a population size of about 784,345 accounting slightly over 1% of the total population of the country. It is divided into three administrative zones sub-divided into 20 weredas two of which are special weredas  and 475 kefaeles  (BoFED, 2013) The region borders  Oromia to the south, the Sudan In northwest and Arnhara Region in the north. The Blue Nite splits the region in to two. The region also has two major river basins. Abay ard Akabo with smaller basins such as Dabus, Yabus. Dura, Julia, and Beles with significant potential for irrigation agriculture and hydroelectric power generation Its natural resources include precious minerals such as gold and copper (MoFA, 2010). The riame?iof the region originates from two local ethnic groups ■ Berta (also called as Benishangui) and Gumuz.
The attitude of the region ranges from 580 to 2,731 mask About 75% (37,751.94 km ) of the region is classified as lowland ("Kola") which is located below 1,500 masl while the midland
2
("Woyna-Dega")  comprises  24%  (12,080  62  km )
2
of  the  total  area  of  the  region  and  is 
located between. 1,500-2.500 masl. The remaining 1% (503.36 km ) is regarded as highland
2
("Dega") which is located above 2,500 masl (AsARC, 2006; MoFA, 2010).
Agriculture plays a dominant role in the .eepnomy of the region, employing 92.5% of the population. Despite the dominance of lhe sector, the farmers use backward technology and live in a widely dispersed settlement patterns, leading a subsistence life.
According io CSA (2007), the total household's number of the region is about 174.445, which results in an average household size of 4.5 persons with urban and rural households ranging from 3.6 to 4.7 people, respectively. The population density of the region is only about 15.5 persons/ km , which makes the region one of the sparsely populated parts of lhe
3
country while the household size remains similar to that of the country (4.5 persons/family). 1.2.2  Fish Resource Potential* of M&]or Rivers in the Region
Fish resources are dependent on water resources. The Benishangui Gumuz Regional Stale is under the Abay basin with ample natural resources; water bodies constituting perennial and seasonal rivers, reservoirs  and flood plain areas  wiih diversified Tish species  and potential for production. Except for the smaller tributaries, all lhe main rivers originate from the highlands of neighboring regions, mainly Oromiya and Amhara
Wetcomme, R. L. (1985), classified rivers in to two. (i) reservoir rivers, which have extensive lakes, swamps  or floodplains  near their^headwalers  resulting in the gradual release of floodwaters and sustained flow with only slight variations in rale; and (ii) flood rivers, where there are extremes of annual fluctuation in water level from severe flood to sometimes complete desiccation in the dry  season. According to this  classification, rivers  of the Benshanguel-Gumuz region can be grouped in to the second type, “Flood Rivers*. Maximum flooding of rivers occurs In July to September as a result of high run off formation from the catchments. Lowest flow occurs from December to March where many seasonal streams get dry (ESAP. 2007)
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There are over 5C0 permanent rivers in theH&gion and are indicated on Map 1.1. According to ESAP (2007), however, fishing is active in some 16 permanent and 16 intermittent rivers in the region (Table A2) and the total fish produclion potential of major rivers of the region (Abay, Anger, Deles, Dabus and Dedessa) is to be 2,400 l/yr by using the simplest model of We1comme{1976) relating catch and river length. However, the fishery potential was based on the very rough estimation of the river lengths in the country. For instance, the length of Abay River is only about 404 km m the region while its length in the country is about 920 km. Similarly, the total length of Dabus River in the country is about 249 km while its length in the region is only about 180 km. As the result, the estimates refer the potential of the rivers in the country rather than the region.
Table 1 6: Fish production potential of Abay, Anger, Eeles, Dabus and Dedessa Rivers
•
S/N
Name of
the River
Locabon (Zone)
Length of the
River (km)
Estimated
Catch(Vyr)
% contribution
1
Abay
Kamashi, Metekel
710
1680
70
2
Anger
Kamashi
89
26
1
3
Beles
Melekel
210
147
6
4
Dabus
Assosa
, ,261
227
10
5         dedesa
Kam as hi, Assosa
310
320
13
Total
..
S’fE. 15B0
2.400
100
Source: MoA (2011)
According to MoA (2011), Abay has the highest potential for fish production in 0GRS with an estimated potential of 1,680 tonsfyear which covers 70% of the region's total potential. Anger contributes  the lowest potential among the rivers  sampled in the region (Table 1 6) This estimated potential did not include the potential of the biggest Renaissance Dam (1,680 Sq km arid 15m depth), which is  estimated to be 7,628 lons/yr, According to the MoAs estimates, river fisheries ol Bentshangul Gumuz region contribute about 24 percent of the potential to be produced from riverine fishery of the country, ca. 10,000 lons/yr.
Fish is produced in the region from main river systems like Abay, Anger, Didessa. Dabus, Beles and their tributaries (small rivers and streams). However, the catch has never been recorded systematically and the reports of BoA towards the annual fish production are very low compared to the fish consumed in the region. The survey conducted by MoFED (2006), indicated that from sampled 150 kebetes in 20 weredas, 132 kebeles used fish from rivers The survey reveals that 70-83% of 20 kebeles, 50-70% of 10 kebeles and 10-45% of 19 kebeles' population had an access  for fishing at the nearby  rivers. The rest 22 Kebeles' populations do not have access for fishing^,.
Culturally the peoples of the region, especially Gumuz and Bertha, are dependent on fish as a major source of their protein requirement Irrespective of the national average fish consumption of Ethiopia, the BGR people annual fish consumption is big and lies by 4 kg per person. In most part of the country individuals prefer a very limited species of fish (mainly Nile Tilapia, Nile perch and Labeobarbus species) but in this region (here is no fish species refused by any member of the family (MoA, 2011)
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1.2.3 Fish Species Diversity in the Region
Volume IV - Pad X
The knowledge of Tish species and their distribution is very important for the management of fishery in the region. The survey carried out by Golubtsov and Mina (2003) covered all three administrative zones (Metekel. Assosa and Kamashi) of the region and indicates that there are 106 fish species in While Nile and 64 in Blue Nile drainage system of the country. Almost all rivers of the region are connected to the Abay River. As the result, fish fauna that Inhabited the Nile basin appeared throughout big and small tributary rivers and streams (MoA, 2011). Therefore, a large number of species appears in the rivers of tho region
(ESAP, 2007).
...
,
*          »r i ; _
’ d i.-             ■
However, according to the list of different field reports 53 fish species are so far identified in the water bodies of the region at different time The most common species are not more than 25 (ESAP 2007). According to the results of the joint Ethio-Russian biological expedition team's taxonomical survey (JERBE report 1992, 1996 and 2000. in ESAP 2007) twenty-six, eight and seven fish species  were identified from Abbay, Dedessa and Dabus  Rivers, respectively  The differences  in numbers  of species  inhabiting various  river systems  are largely attributable to the size of the river as represented by its basin area or correlated with the length of mam channel or stream order (Welcomme, R. L., 1965). The main fish catches are Barbus and Clarius species (ESAP, 2007)
Table 1 7; Physical parameters of sampled sites
Name
of the
River
Specific site
Location
AWlude
(masl)
River
Width
(m)
Transparency of water
(cm)
Fish
species 
diversity
Chesega     kebele (Sirba Abay Wereda)
H}tJ07,36.9"N, 35°21'40 6'E
592
ca.300
75
Abay
Yarenja Kebele
(Cuba Wereda]
11059*35 2’N, 3601V33FE
23
553
C3 200
75
Anger
NW  of  Bogle  town (Eielojiganfoy Wereda)
09029'00:1"N
3601011 T" E
1000
45
60
13
Mender 7
(Pawc Wereda)
11021 *03,4’N,
36024 00.2’ E
1023
Ca.120
65
Beles
Bridge to Guba
(Pawe Wereda)
11011*57.6"N
36019 34 KE
12
987
50
70
Dabus
Bridge       near       Bambasi Town (Bambasi Wor.)
09M5‘44"N 34O40'31 7’E
1337
75
10
3
Dedessa
Bridge to Yaso (Kamashi Wereda)
09041 10.4"N
r
3600 T29.2 E
n
835
65
55
6
Source: MoA (2011 j
According to Glublsov et al 2003, the number of species appears to be negatively correlated with altitude The decrease in number of fish species from lower to upper reaches is typical of most river system ol the world. In Ethiopia this  decrease is  especially  pronounced because of steep altitudinal gradients and occurrence of rich lowland faunas in most basins (Glublsov  and Mina 2003) This  survey  revealed that apart from the altitude of the area, which mainly  matters  the diversity, long term turbidity  of the river water also seen determining the number of species to be found in the water body. Compared to the other rivers the diversity of fish in Dabus/River,^ by far lower than the other rivers because of its lower transparency and higher altitude (Table 1.7),
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The survey  conducted by  MoA (201-1)/reveled that a total of 29 fish species  have been Identified in all studied rivers (Abay. Anger,'Beles. Dabus and Dedessa) According to this study, these species  are grouped in to 11 Families. The dominant family  in these river systems is Cyprinidae with a diversity of 9 species of Fish followed by Mormyridae with 5 fish species. Characidae and Distichcdontida each had three species  and Ciandae have two species  Bui the family  Bagridae, Cenlrooomidae. Channidae. Cichlidae, Malapteruridae. Mochoktdae and Telraodantide are each represented only by a single species rn this survey The survey has also revealed that Cichlidae, Clariidae and Cyprinidae are the major fish species  in Dabus  River. In the Dabus  River, the dominant fish species  caught during
-  sampling  was  catfish  (C.  gariepinus)  with'a  proportion  of  33%.  Apart  from  its  richness  in diversity, the biggest fish weighing 4 5 kg has been recorded in this river caught by a gill net of 12cm stretched mesh (MoA, 2011).
1.3     Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 General Objectives
The broad objective of the fishery development study is to maximize the Dabus Irrigallon
Project benefits through identifying tpe aquatic resources potentials and preparing plans for
the development of fisheries and aquaculture into river; reservoir and canal systems and integrate the same with other development sectors which will help in achieving some of the goals of broad national planning like food security, generation of employment, earning
foreign exchange, improving living standard of the people
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
•    To understand the fish resource base and fisheries environment in the project area;
•    Assess the current status of fish production in the study area
•    To assess lhe socioeconomic aspects of reservoir, riverine and canal fisheries development both in the command and submergence area ,
■   Predict the fishery and aquaculture resources of the Dabus reservoir, perennial
rivers, canal systems and the aquaculture potential in the command area;
•     To  identify  fishery  development  constraints  and  development  opportunities  and indicate lhe possibility and scope of fisheries development in the reservoir, perennial rivers and canal systems in the pro|ect area;
■   Analyze lhe impacts of the project on diversity and fishery resources and propose mitigation measures during and subsequent to implementation; and
•    To recommend appropriate                    development interventions for sustainable fisheries on reservoir, perenriiariiiera and irrigation canals,
1.4     Scope of the Study
The scope of the present study will be covering the command area of Dabus Irrigation Development Project, which is virtually located in four weredas namely, Assosa, Bambasi, Menge and Oda Bildiglu.
The plan for the development of fisheries in project area will have the following components: 1) the catchments area; 2) reservoir and^paqal systems and 3) aquaculture potential in the command area.
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The scope of the study includes but not limited Io the following issues
•      Review  relevant  previous  studies,  national  and  regional  fishery  development strategies and the existing reso^rpe base in the project area,
•     Identify the existing natural fishery resources and aquatic environment of the sub basin,
•     Classify  and  describe  fishery  development  potentials  and  constraints  in  river systems reservoir and irrigation canal and pond fish farming
•     Identify and evaluate the exisbng pattern and level of fish resource exploitation, distribution and marketing, infrastructure, extension service and assess the status of fisheries research and provide.recommendation for their improvement,
•     Assess  the  current  fish'  prb<$fpVon,  the  available  indigenous  and  exotic  fish species and the preference of consumers,
•    Prepare plans for possible integration of fishery with irrigation in the reservoir arid irrigation canals proposed for the development of the indicated project,
•    Assess the likelihood and possible consequence of the impact of development projects on fishery and fishing practices,
•      Investigate  the  attitude  of  the  community  toward  fish  consumption  and  give recommendations for promoirng^and altering the condition,
•     Identify major constraints to the development of fishery in the project area and prepare proposals as remedial measures to the problems
•     Assess ways of facilitating the market outlets for fish products by motivating the private investors or establishing cooperatives to earn more profit by reducing the marketing channels,
•     Include felt needs of the inhabiting farmers to secure their participation through community  and  stakeholder  consultation,  focus  group  discussion,  household survey and own observation X '
•    Prepare preliminary cost estim/S^nd benefits of the proposed project,
I
1
'
:     I'
1.5 Methodology and Approach
The Fishery Development Study, focused on the command and submergence areas in the upstream and downstream ol the dam, was undertaken in the month of December 2014. Primary and secondary data have been collected to understand the impact of Dabus Irrigation Project an inhabiting communities in Menge, Oda Bildiglu, Assosa and Bambasi weredas; investigate alternative options and recommend fishery development interventions accordingly.
To this effect the following alternative methodologies have been used to conduct fishery development study. The overall activities required for fishery development feasibility study were divided into three stages viz . Pre-Field work, Fieldwork and Pest-Fieldwork
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1.5.1   Pre-Ffeld Work
At this  stage all documents, reports, policies  and strategies  relevant to the fishery development in the country have been reviewed Consequently, the whole data collection process has been determined based on the review of literature and previous studies Questionnaires Io collect primary and secondary data from regional wereda and kebele offices as well as checklists for community and*stakeholder consultation and focus group discussion were prepared during this slager.r
1.5.2   Field Work
1.5.2.1   Secondary Data Collection
Pertinent documents of previous studies, policies, strategies, regulations and guidelines that govern the fishery development of the country al large and that of BGR in particular have been reviewed both at office level and during field survey During the field survey, more detailed  second  hand  information  regarding  fishery  resource  base,  fish  species,  fish production  and  consumption,  fishery  management  practices,  heailh,  marketing  and processing facilities for fish products and other relevant secondary data on fish production from relevant offices, pertinent experts and development agents of the A  project weredas situated in Assosa Zone were gathered Moreover, second hand data and information on fisheries and related activities being undertaken and/or planned in the region were collected from Bureau of Agriculture, Wereda Offices of Agriculture, Bureau of Finance and Economic Development. Training Institutions, restaurants and Fishermen’s Groups
1.5.2.2    Primary Data Collection  '
From the 7 weredas of Assosa Zone, four weredas have contributed land to the Dabus Irngation Project command and reservoir areas. The kebeles falling into the command area are first determined According to CSA (2007) ArcGlS data, these are 11 kebetes in total and 4,  4,  2  and  1  kebetes  are  contributed  by  Menge,  Oda  Bildiglu,  Assosa  and  Bambasi weredas respectively. However, during the field survey it was happened to know that the kebele Bela Fida has been further divided in to two kebeles namely. Bela Fida and Shaga Demazln, making the total kebeles in the project command and reservoir areas 12 though the  geographical  area of  the  latest  has  not  been  delineated The expected households affected due to the irngation scheme development were estimated to be 1.298 (Table 1.8). Menge and Oda Bildiglu weredas contribute 56.6 per cent and 38 9 per cent to the total gross  command  area  while  the  share  of  Assosa  and  Bambasi  weredas  is  small  and accounts for 4.15 per cent (720 ha) and 0.36 per cent (63 ha). Similarly, the dam with its large  reservoir  of  about  1,141  ha  is  located  within  the  kebeles  Mugufude  and  Dabus Atimbaqo from Assosa Wereda, Eda Dabus from Bambasi Wereda and Zumba from Oda Bildiglu  Wereda,  contributing  an  area  of  257.0,  120  2,  114  2  and  649.5  hectares, respectively (Table 1 9). However, during the consultation meetings with subject matter specialists and stakeholders it was revealed Jhat fishing was not practiced in the kebeles Sinyor. Belafida and Aleamer kebeles .duetto the fact that (hey do not possess permanent rivers relevant for fishery development. As the result, these kebeles were omitted from the survey as it is meaningless to survey the kebeles without the resource base
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Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Eleclricity .pi.ie .
Dabus Irrigation Design and Study Project 2 'T ?,
Volume IV - Part X F ishery Development Sludy/^kJrtepoi!
Table 1.8 Weredas and kebeles in the command area of Dabus Irrigation Project
Weredas In
the project
command
Kebeles
Area
(ha}
% lo Were d a
% lo Gross ’
Command
Population
Density
(Persons/ km2
Wereda Total
90.12 15.4
9,811 59
6 34
56.62
30 14
HHs in the command
900
A Fudindu
1.540.46
42 03
0 89
39 77
Menge'
A Bela Fida1
37 32
3.731 87
47 45
21 54
40 12
ASinyor
AAleamer
4545
4,545 49
35 49
26 23
25.01
0.3
67.34
30.32 6,734.47
736.03
0.63
0 17
45.05
Were da Total
4.04
38.86
AEelanjero
7 37
17 75
Oda
Qitdiglu’
4 25
37.96
40.34
AGambuladale
33.3
15.63
3,330.15
50 5
19 22
26 58
A Be I fudi
1,563.49
35.27
9.02
A Zumba
Wereda Total
11.29
7.2
1,128.90
10.01
6.52
, 720^6
025
4.15
34.13
15,31
41.30
As os a'
AMugufude
677
676 9
869
3 91
22 5
a Dabus 
Atimibaqo
0 46
45 35
2 93
0.27
47.28
Bambasi*
Wereda Total
0.63
63 27
0.04
0.36
386
A. Eda Dabus
0.64
173.3
63 53
1 £9
0.37
14 94
Gross Area
17,329.70
2,28
100
37.01
Region
Country
17 93
77 42
CA= Command Area, NA= Data No! Available.,: = 2007, Compiled and computed from OSA 2007
Table 1.9: Area contribution of kebeles around the reservoir
Wereda Name
Kebele Name
Area (m )
£
Area (ha}
Assosa
Dabus Alimbaqo
1.202,050.00
120.21
Assosa
Mugufude
2.570.140.00
257.01
Bambasi
Eda Dabus
1,142.210.00
114.22
Oda Biidiglu
Zumba
6,495.250.00
649.53
—
j.
*i
1
T I ■”
Having  determined  the  survey  area,  personal  obseivations  and semi  structured  interviews were made to qualify the secondary data and assess the situation of the fisheries. Primary data   have   been   collected   through   visual   observation,   direct   communication   with communities,   stakeholders,   fishermen,   fishermen’s   groups,   consumers   and   restaurant owners As fishing is practiced along the shorelines of the main rivers in the project area, the method of purposive sampling was employed. The list of fishermen in each command kebele was taken from kebele offices and samples of fishermen were selected using the method of simple random sampling and a sample size, of 44 fishermen 39 consumers (farmers) and 5 fishermen's  groups  have  been  interviewed  to  coiled  primary  data  using  semi-stfuclured questionnaire  (Table  1.10).  Furthermore,  checklists  were  prepared  lo  undertake  Interview and hold the necessary discussions with community, key informants and stakeholders Table 1 10: Number and distribution of fishermen and consumers interviewed by kebele
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We re das in the
commandf
reservoir
Kebeles in lhe
command/
reservoir
Fishermen
Consumer
Farmers
Fishermen's 
group
Bari ba si
Eda Dabus
4
1
2T
Assosa
Dabus Atimbaqa
2
3
Mugufude
6
2
Menge
Fudindu
8
7
F
Shaga Demazin        . ■
6
8
Zumba
2
4
1
Gambela Dale
5
3
Oda B  diglu
Belanjero
4
4
Belfudi
a
7
*
Total
_ rt .           _ 2    *      . 1 IL— fl
= Dabus & Mutsa kebeles,' - Ade Hallo & Goie Ale
44
39
f1Z r*~s _ L
Social, economic, cultural as well as fish m'arketing studies were also carried oul using the interviews made with fishermen at clijferenFKebeles, fishermen's groups, experts engaged in the subject matter, private sector and different governmental organizations  A thorough discussion with key informants and focus group participants from I he area of fish production has  a so been undertaken to gather Information on fish production aspects, fishery development opportunities and constraints by using pre-prepared checklists. Moreover, as a public  involvement is  a valuable source of information on key  impacts, potential mitigation measures  and identification and selection of alternatives, both community  and stakeholder consultations have been undertaken to avoid misunderstandings due to lack of information about the irrigation development and its likely impacts, collect relevant information about the project area and obtain their views  and altitude about lhe project. Moreover, an intensive secondary data was collected from relevant stakeholders to augment the data gap.
The geographic positioning system (GPS) was used to measure elevation, location points of landing sites, ponds and marketing points. To estimate the total produclion of fish in a year, fishermen from each kebele have been interviewed. For the estimation of the potential fish yield of each river, the srmplesl model of Weicomme (1976) relating catch and river length has been employed.
Seven enumerators and two supervisors y^o are from the field of animal produclion with knowledge of the local language (Ruthani) were recruited from each Wereda and Kebele Agricultural Departments and Offices and Irained for a day on lhe data collection tools. The questionnaires were prepared in English but lhe interview has been conducted in respective ethnic languages.
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1     Planning data collection and field investigation al Bambasi Town
.Vare'r..                  5" s" ;■ ot?rv s on I ■ ’i1, se
Ja!iLJ*y 7C16Ministry  cF  r*r.  Irrigation  and  Electricity Dnhus rrigatwn Dcskji and Study Project
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Developmen! Study             Report
Figure 1 2 Enumerators and supervisors training, Menge Wereda (top) and Qda Bildiglu Wereda (bottom)
Figure 1.3: Consultation with kebele administration and SMS, Belfudt Kebele
r-e- Wo** Desigr. and
re"- s □" = M
Jit uary 2C-ifjVrratry of Woicr Ingatkjri and H nr tncny L'.itus Ingatiori Uesnyi and Slutty Piojed
VcAume “V - Pad x
T tbery Development S+udy/-//fa Report
0R
^■ti
■I
Figure i 4 Enumerators filling in questionnaire at Eda Dabus kebele of Bambasi we red a Note that the third person is an interpreter
Figure 15 Pioneering fishers group at Bambasi Wereda
W.IIL" Wcf<-. LJ 3~ -v-
15
_an_d f         72'£
Superv'-i'i’:’’ t ^" r
rr
,rMrrsrry of Waler Imgjtion and Electnefly DabwNrgation Des»gn and Study
Votumn IV - Part X
________ Fshery Development Study/Report
•ZAi-e-'uV^iks □es*g and
n
S-.-pr-viB L -!i*rp” ae
.             JD’fiMrjistry ol Waler irrigation and Eloclnrrty 
Dalxrs lirifliition Design end Study Project
Volume V Part X Frahrry Dcvetapment Studyfi/jfriflrporf
WH
Figure 1.6: Community consultation Dabus Atimbaqo and Mugufude kebels (top). Fudindu Kebeie (middle), Belfudi Kebele (bottom)
Frgure 1.7: We red a level stakeholder consultation. Oda Bildiglu Wereda
tj ' e ■ .’>’3 1 'cs *3 r 3 r 1 * S-_cer'. > hnierpnsi-
January   20 InMinistry of Waler. Irrigation and Electricity
Dabus Irrigation Design and Study Project j j- s y/lK
Volume IV- Part X Fishery Development Study^/jjReport
1.5.3 Post Field Work
The collected primary and secondary data from the relevant regional, zonal, wereda and kebele offices  of governmental and non-governmental organizations, discussion with key informants, community and stakeholder consultation, fishermen level survey and that of own observations  were organized through qualitative and quantitative approaches  The qualitative approach was  used in discussing data gathered through stakeholder and community consultations and key informants discussions. Descriptive statistical approaches were utilized to explain quantitative data collected from fishermen and farmers  (analysis unit), which was encoded using the latest Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 on a previously prepared spread sheet and analysed by the livestock development expert after checking for outliers, apparent data entry mistakes and notes on missing data.
Various types of survey parameters such as fish species and composition, fish production potential and catch, markets and marketing pattern of fish products, etc . were presented in the form of tables and graph
.; ’.vjjru'
Based on the constraints and development opportunities identified, economically feasible. socially  acceptable  and  environmentally  sound  fishery  development  interventions  were prioritized and recommended for Implementation. Furthermore, conclusions about the study based on the findings and appropriate recommendations were drown
i' ■‘i *
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□ abus Irrigation Design and Study Project_____________________ F ishe ry Developmcnt Study^rffl | Report
2.   FISHERY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Consistent with the rural and agricultural sector policy  objectives, fishery  is  increasingly recognized as an alternative means of addressing the problems of food security and poverty 
in the country, with the following specific objectives. 1) Increase fish consumption and the nutritional status of the population, particularly m rural areas; 2) Improve employment and income opportunities, and hence the living conditions  of fishery  communities, 3) Improve post-harvest activities to cut losses and improve fish quality; 4) Supply industries and export markets with sufficient quantities of good quality fish; 5) Increase fisheries contribution to national income including export earnings; 6) Improve complementarity and efficiency in fish farming systems  through integration with other agricultural activities; and 7) Ensure sustainable use of fish stock and the aquatic environment
The increasing human population, the continuous rise in living standards and urbanization
are all factors, which will demand on the quality and quantity wise adequate fish products. As 
the result, the improvement and development of the fishery sector is of a priority objective lor
both rederal as well as Regional Governments.
To address  this  scenano and properly  utilize the immense fishery  resources  the country possess, different policies and strategies, which one way or Uie other affect the sub-sector, have been formulated recently These include Agricultural Policy and Strategies, Agricultural Development Led Industrialization (ADL1), Fishery  Development and Utilization Proclamation, 5 years Plan (2011-2006) for Growth and Transformation (GTP) and National Aquaculture Development Strategy FramewbrVo’f Ethiopia.
2.1Agricultural Policy and Strategies
The draft agricultural policy and strategies of 1992 (1964 E.C.) was formulated to open up
the door for the development of the country through studying the development constraints 
and suggesting possible intervention ideas in form of policy and strategy.
The rural strategy is one of several thematic and sector-specific strategies developed and implemented by  the Ministry  of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with its client implementing agencies. The Regional Governments  also endorse their strategy  at, wereda and kebele level reaching the rural poor. At the regional level each Regional Bureau of Agriculture (BoA) has  lhe mandate of overall management and development of fishery resources  for sustainable achievement of the Millennium Development Goals  and National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty.
2.2    Agricultural Development Led Industrialization (ADLI).
Agricultural and Rural Development Policy and Strategy were adopted by the government in March 2002 The agricultural strategy^ Currently  in use was  formulated based on characterizing of agricultural sectors and outlining the major issues and constraints hindering production and productivity of the sector in the country, The objectives have been aimed to be met through improvement of productivity  of small holders  farming and commercial extensive and intensive agricultural development Contained in this  broad strategy  is  the concept of best use of the country's fisheries resources to contribute to the desired socio economic development in the country
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In line with this, the agriculture sector should be transformed from a smallholder subsistence farming system to a market oriented system, through use of improved and adaptive technology  and extension packages. The country's  artisanal fishery  is  integral to this transformation process. In addition, the development of small-scale rural aquaculture in the country receives high priority in the task gTbchieving food security, and will be a prominent element in water harvesting and agriculturaJjdevelopmeril programmes and projects.
2.3    Growth and Transformation Plan (2010/11 - 2014/15)
Achieving broad-based, accelerated and sustained economic  growth so as  to eradicate poverty has been and is a key objective of the Government of Ethiopia All the country’s development policies and strategies so far are geared towards poverty reduction To these end three consecutive programs, viz. 1983 - 1987, 1988 - 1992 and 1993 - 1997 E.C have been implemented and the fourth, Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) has been ratified as  the national planning document of the country  for the period 2010/11 - 2014/15 Especially, the last two programs, namely, Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Program (SDPRP), which covered the years 2001/02 - 2005/06 and a Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP). that ran from 2G05/06 - 2009/10 have registered remarkable achievements  of economic  growth, soctal development and good governance Dunng this period, the economy grew on an average at 11% per annum. By sustaining this economic growth over the next five years period, the Government aims to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG} targets by 2015. and its longer lime vision of being a middle income country by 2020^^:023 (MoFED. 2010}.
The Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) gives an especial emphasis to agricultural and rural development, industry, infrastructure, social and human development, good governance and democratization. It also assumes that the GDP and the Agricultural Value Added achieved in 2009/10 will double by the end of the GTP period. 2014/15
The mam strategic directions set for the agriculture and rural development include increasing the capacity and extensive use of labor, proper utilization of agricultural land, taking account of different agro-ecological zones, linking specialization with diversification, integrating agricultural and rural development, strengthening the agricultural marketing system and effective implementation of the scaling up of best practices In the sector The major GTP targets of the Benshangul Gumuz Region for fishery development sets the fish production targets from 5 ton to 15.3 ton at the end of GTP period 2014/15
Even though a strong emphasis was given to fish resource development and a number of targets were set to improve the yield of Ethiopia's fisheries in all these consecutive development programs, there are numerous problems remain to be overcome,
.. i. «
2.4    Fishery Development and Utilization Proclamation
Recognizing the danger posed on most water bodies of the country, the Fishery Development and Utilization Proclamation No 315/2003 was ratified by lhe Federal
Parliament in January 2003. The objective of the proclamation is to ensure fish biodiversity and its environment as well as to prevent and control over exploitation of lhe fisheries 
resources, increase the supply of safe and quality fish and ensure a sustainable contribution
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of the fisheries  towards  food security, and expand aquaculture development. The proclamation has  an article that gives  power to the Ministry  of Agriculture and Regional States to issue their own regulations and laws for implementing the proclamation Following this Proclamation the Amhara National Regional State and Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples  Regional State have declared their own respective regional proclamations  to enforce the Fishery Resource Development. Protection and Utilization Proclamation
However, though provisions  are clear and ^ell-mtentionod. the execution and enforcement of the laws  and regulations  are sadly-lacking. The federal and state laws  regarding commercial fishing are not active in almost all regions and led to localized overfishing As the result, some commercially  important species  are already  suffering from overexploitation, including Nile perch in Lake Chamo, and tilapia in Lakes Awasa and Zway.
2.5 National Aquaculture Development Strategy Framework of Ethiopia
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development [MoARD) in collaboration with Food and Agricultural Organization Sub-Regional Office for East Africa (FAO/SFE) drafted the National Aquaculture Development Strategy Framework of Ethiopia. The objective of the strategy is to integrate the sub-sectore to others  Io facilitate lhe development of viable and sequential aquaculture plans  to develop and establish national and regional capabilities  for development planning, monitoring, surveillance and enforcement in aquaculture,
According to this  strategic  document, aquaculture development is  to be targeted as  an activity  to ensure food security, alleviate poverty  of rural farmers  and to provide fish for domestic  consumption and industry. Aquaculture development is  to be planned and executed as a business or commercial activity on a scale that contributes to profitability and market oriented The strategic  document divided the Tish farmers  in Io two categories: commercial and non-commercial and lhe distinction between these rely on the existence or absence of a business orientation and on how factors of production such as labor will be paid.
The document identified constraints relating to the following issues; availability and access to inputs, training, education, capacity building, extension/outreach services and research and followed by  lhe interventions  required to address  each of them to develop aquaculture in Ethiopia Accordingly! the following elements  of the strategic  framework  stratified sn Io government and private sectors  rolest have been identified: 1) Availability  and Access  to Inputs, 2) Extension/ Outreach Sen/ices. 3) Training, Education and Capacity  Building, 4) Research, 5) Culture Based Fisheries, 6) Fish Health Management, 7} Gender Issues, 8) Access io Land/Aqu a culture Zones by Industries and Fish Farmers. 9) Legal and Regulatory Framework, 10) Improved MarketingF 11) Public Private Partnership, 12) Public awareness Creation, 13) Monitoring Control and Evaluation of aquaculture Industry  and 14) Policy Issues
Finally,   an   action   plan   has   been   drown   upi   to   implement   the   National   aquaculture
Development Strategy of Ethiopia. ,
"
■ L Wj3'
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January. 2016Ministry cf Water, Irrigation and Eteclricity 
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3.  REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES
Some irrigation development studies  and livelihood surveys  have been earned out in Benshangul-Gumuz  Region by  different consulting agencies  at different limes  The most important ones  include The Halcrow ULG Limited (1980-82), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2010), Ministry  of Agriculture (2011), Assosa Agricultural Research Center (AsARC) and SID-Consult-Supoort Integrated Development (2010).
3.1  Halcrow ULG Limited (1980-19B2)
r'-
The current Dabus Irrigation Project area was studied by Halcrow ULG Limited between 1900 and 1982 at pre feasibility and feasibility level. Though the fishery development study 
was overlooked, lhe study gives some clues about the fishery resources in the project area.
According to this study, the subsistence requirements of the people of the project area come almost entirely  from crop production and livestock  raising. According to this  study, the Benshangul Gumuz Regional Slate has potential for fish production though none of the villagers interviewed practiced any form of fishing, despile the proximity of Dabus River.
i'r.
3.2  Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2010)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has also conducted a livelihood survey for Benshangul-Gurriuz and Gmbella regions According to this survey, the widely available water resources can be used for the development of fisheries with the objective of increasing the income and enhancing household food security in the region through the introduction of fish varieties and fishing technologies, Fishing is basically the task of men and women play crucial role in fish processing. The surv^u^eport revealed that (here was  not much fish processing activity in the area (MoARD,l2dJ0)
3.3  Ministry of Agriculture (2011)
The area foreseen for the current irrigation scheme was further surveyed by  Ministry of Agriculture (2011) to identify the fishery resource potential. The study was aimed to make a survey  to understand the current fishery  status  and identify  future prospects  of the Benishangul Gumuz Region.
According to this study, a total of 29 fish species important for food have been known to present in Abay, Anger, Beles, Dabus and Dedessa rivers. Apart from the altitude of the
area, long term turbidity of the river water also determined the diversity of fish species to be found in the region. Compared to the other nvers. the diversity of fish in Dabus River is by far lower than the other rivers because of its lower transparency and higher altitude (MoA,
2011).
Concerning fish resource potential of major rivers in the region, the total annual harvestable fish from the region is estimated to be 2,40CHons/yr. Among these. River Abay covers 70% of the region's total potential, This estim^d potential does not include the potential of the Renaissance Dam being constructed,* wni^ has  an area of 1,680 km2 and expected to produce an estimated amount of 7,628 tons of fish in a year (MoA, 2011).
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The survey indicated that the culture of the region in consuming fish is by far higher and it is estimated that a minimum of 183 tons  of fish produced annually  in the main rivers  of the region The catches are used mostly for home consumption and rarely sold in the marketing places Fish consumption in lhe region varied with lhe ethnic groups: fish is highly consumed by the native Gumuz and Beda people The mode of utilization is in fresh, sun dried, fried- dry or smoked form.
The study  has  also identified major constraints, which include week  institutional capacity  Df development institutions  as  fisher cooperative, fish quality  assurance and marketing system constrains, lack  of attention in fishery  for fishers'  community  development among policy makers, underutilized fish resource, and poor, handling of fresh and dried fish along the distribution chain mainly due to lack of h'ariullrfg facilities,
"■■|iCh ’’
Based on these constraints, the study  recommended the following development interventions: awareness  creation, facilitation of gear supplies, strenglhen/organizing fishers cooperahves, facilitating access  to credit, capacity  building through training, infrastructure support, promoting entrepreneurship in fish trade, resource monitoring and management, organizational setup and extension support, undertaking applied researches  and institutional linkage
3.4 SID-Consult-Support Integrated Development (2010}.
The Dabus  Irrigation Project area was  also studied by  SID-Consult-Support Integrated Development in 2010. The major objectives of this study were to make market assessment and identity  potential commodities  for income generation and value chain in the selected project weredas  of BGR; to identify  the constraints  and opportunities  in each of the value chains and to map out the major supply chains and actors in the selected commodities for value chain.
• kt’E-i. I
With regard to fishery, despite the ayai^^itg, of waler potentials in the region, fishing as an economic  activity and source of income is-indt widely known in the region However, it has been confirmed that the few people living around Blue Nile, Dabus. Dhidhesa. and Hayima rivers  practice small scale and seasonal fishing There are also some organized fishermen fishing along Dabus, Dhidhesa and Hayima rivers.
As  lhe result this  study  has  considered fishery  for interventions  related to Income generation. Other Income generation activities  identified in Lhe project areas  Include crop production, livestock  production, mining, off-fami income generation like hand crafts  and petty trading and bamboo (SID-Consult-Support Integrated Development, 2010).
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4.      DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA 4.1    Physical Features               .-
1 • 1 '
4.1.1 Geographical Location and Size
The Dabus  Irrigation Development Project area is  located in the southern part of the Benishangul-Gumuz  Region, Assosa Zone and falls  in to Abay  River Basin which is  the largest basm occupying an area of about 199.812 km7 including Lake Tana with an area of about 4,070 km’. Geographically, the project command area lies between 10° 02' to 10° 14 Northing and 34° ST to 35° 02' Easting al an altitude of 1.000 to 1,300 masl, which falls into lowland agro-ecological zone (less than 1,500 m.a s.t.) It lies on lhe right and left banks of the Dabus River, which is the boundary- JfJthe four project we red as - Menge, Oda Hiidrgfu. Bambasi and Assess.. The gross  project alfea of the proposed Dabus  Irrigation Project is about 17,330 ha white the net irrigable area is expected Io be 10.000 ha, which accounts far about 2.3% of the total areas of the four weredas, viz Menge, Oda Bildiglu, Barnbast and Asosa (Table 1.9}. The total area contributed from each wereda accounts for 50.62. 38 86; 4 15 and 0.36 percent tor Menge, Oda Bildiglu, Asosa and Bambasi weredas, respectively The project command areas and their respective kebefes are given in Table 1.9, and Map
4.1   shows the location of the project command area
4.1.2 Soil
JI
The soil survey investigation (2014) carried out at detail level (1:10,000 scales) on a gross area of 14,864.1 ha at left bank indicate that rive reference soil groups (major soil groups} were identified in the command area. These include Vertisols, which cover large area than the other types of soils; Luvisols; Cambisols: Fluvisois, and Lu vic nitosots. F luvisols are soils mostly identified at the bank of the river and Lu vtc nitosols cover the sm a Iks si area Moreover, some permanently  unsuitable gullies  were identified in the area, which include gully  complex, stream lines  and river banks  dominanliy  with shallow soils  - Leptosols. According Id this study, the soils were developed on alluvial plain at slope percentage of 0-2 (almost flat), 2-4 (gently undulating), j4-& CsJfn^itilating) and 6-6 (sloping).
■'.
The PH value of the surface soils of the project area ranges from 4.94 to 7.65, which is very sirongly acid to slightly alkaline tn the upper part as apposed to suitable level for agricultural purpose (6.0 to 7.5). As the result, the soil survey investigation study (2014) suggested an application of 1,949 kg lime/ha to overcome soil acidity problem and attain optimum yield. The Organic Carbon Percentage (°C %) is low, which is less than 4% The Carbortf Nitrogen ratio (C:N) ranges between 7.1 to 10.5, indicating that an optimum to high humification and a response to nitrogen is  expected However, the average cation exchange capacity  of the soils is greater than 46%, which is very higp and indicating a reasonable degree of fertility for agricultural development. The base Saturation Percentage (BSP) ranges  between 45.51 to 97.65% indicating medium to very high fertility of the soil in the project area. The Electric Conductivity (EC) of the soils is less than 1.00 dS m 1 (very tow) indicating tow salinity The bulk density values of the soils range from 1.1 to 1.76 g cm-3 and are within the acceptable range for agricultural soils  (1,1 io 1.4 g cm-3). Thus, there is  no cemented or compacted horizon withm the soil solum and the root development will not be reslricled by  soil compaction in most of the soils.
. . j, ibuA
Water Works Design and Supervision Ehler prise
January. 2016VoHtfne IV - Part hi
J sr^fyDwwo^eit ujy
Map 4.1. Location map of Dabus Irrigation Project command areaWater Works Design and Supervision Enterprise
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4.1 3 Climate
Volume IV — Part X Fishery Dcveiopmcnt Study/V^/Repcrt
WR
R
m
im
+
Agricultural  development  is  affected  by  several  factors,  of  which  climate  (rainfall,
temperatu e, sunlight, etc.)
r
is the major limiting factors The Benshangul Gumuz Region in
general exhibits both mild and hoi temperatures lower temperature prevails on higher
altitude areas (the eastern parts), whereas low altitude areas, especially m the western part
of the region lend Io be hot According to Dabus Irrigation Project Climatology and Hydrology 
Study (2013), the climatic data of the project area was obtained from Assosa Gauge Station,
and the average annual temperature ranges between 18 1 °C and 32 8 C and the mean is 
d
25 45 C. The highest is recorded in the month of March followed by April A February The
U
minimum is recorded in the month of January
Rainfall in the region is uni modal and occurs for S or 7 months of the year, usually between April and October The mean annual rainfall is about 1.042 mm. most being received between May and October with the highest rn July and August. Rainfall occurrence is generally adequate bolh in amount and distribution in most parts of the region, except in Kurmuk and surrounding weredas There are a solid 5 months of dry period ranging from November to March and the pick monthly average rainfall is in the months of July
4.1.4 Water Resources
4.1.4.1  Drainage Pattern
The  Benshangu  Gumuz  Region  has  potentially  rich  surface  and  sub-surface  water resources It is crossed by the Blue Nile, which enters the region from the east, turning then to the north-west and leaving it between Siriba Abay and Guba We re da towards the Sudan. The perennial rivers provide some potential for fishing and irrigation.
Map 4.2; Drainage Map of the project command and reservoir areas
Water Warks Jcmqr a" a
SuBe-v.sior Epi!erp <se
Jar,ary 22lti
rMinistry of Waler, Irrigation an J Electricity 
Dabus irrigation Design and Study Project Fishery Development Sludy/t/^/ Report
Void me IV Fart X
Drainage pattern of the project command and reservoir areas comprises of Dabus River and
its permanent and seasonal tributaries Permanent tributaries of Dabus River in the project
command are Abegu Fed I, Abishe, Dale, Ala, Anidel, Ashaka, Belihe, Beneshed Fintsatsi,
Kelidlshu, Koka Ounidulu, Tasa, Tumet and Zumibala Drainage pattern of the project area
is displayed in Map 4.2.
I ■ vfrMi.t*
A?
Dabus River flows through the center of the basin in a South West to North East direction. Il generally becomes more incised as it crosses the plain, falling from 970 to 935m in 13km. It subsequently enters a gorge (100m deep), which has steeply dissected terrain on either sices. The partial view of Dabus River is given in Figure A1. As per Hydrology Study of Dabus irrigation Project (2014). the catchment area was divided into two parts: 1) the upper catchment of 6,000 km2 containing the swamp and extending to its outlets and 2) the lower catchment 4100km extending from the swamp to the existing gauging station.
2
4.1.4.2 Water chem istry of the Dabus River
According to Enviionmenlal Impact Assessment Study (2013). the quality of Dabus River has been described as low saline (710 pS/cm or 0.071 ds/m) and close to neutral and well below the highest recommended permissible concentration The PH value of the samples lies by 6.97 and confirms the above statement. This study Indicates that the PH value for Dabus River is within lhe recommended (6.5 - 8 4) normal pH range and the concentration of other substances or toxic ions, which causes toxicity in animals, is well below lhe toxic levels recommended in Dabus River.
Table 4.1: Water chemistry of the Dabus River
Source of Sample
[ ’-riv River
Well
Well
Location
Fudindu
Shag a
Gambella Dale
Imbidity (NTU)
61.69 i
2 36
7.30
Total Solds IO5 C (mgfl)
J
120.0
250
156.0
T Dissolved Solid 105 C(mg/l)
L
46.0
232
140 0
Electrical Conductivity (pS/cm)
71.0
390
237.0
PM
6.69
6.55
6 56
Ammonia (mg/l NH3)
057
0.05
0 15
Sodium (mg/l Na)
4.00
12 50
11.30
Potassium (mg/l K)
1 00
4.4
1 70
1 otal Hardness (ing/1 Ca CO )
S
'•                32.00
182.0
108 00
Calcium (mg/l Ca)
860
44 90
23.0
Magnesium (mg/l Mg)
2.40
16.80,
120
Total Iron (mg/l Fe)
1.60
Trace
0.08
Manganese (mg/1 Mn)
024
Trace
Trace
Fluoride (mg/l F)
0.61
0.57
0.65
Chloride (mg/1 Cl)
1 62 I                3.64
6.37
Nitrile (mg/l NO?)
Trace
0 03
0.01
Nitrate (mg/1 NO3)
0.60
222
14.26
Alkalinity (mg/1 CaCOj)
36 00
218.0
102.00
Carbonate (mg/l COi)
—- ■ *■£"!-- fc.i-1
k ^-"r1                          Nil
Nil
Nil
Bicarbonate (mg/l HCO3)
43 92
203.52
12.44
Sulphate (mg/l SO.)
7 76
0.11
0 11
Phosphate (mg/l PO«)
0.08
0.26
Boron (mg/l)
1
Source Dabus Irrigation Project El A report (2014)
__ ____________
1
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Though not classified in to ammonia hazard classes, the results of the water quality analysis 
indicated that ammonia concentration in the Dabus River is beyond the permissible limit of
0 2 mg/l and lies by 0 51 mg'l Ammonia through its derivates - nitrate (NO ) and nitrite
5
(NO )
2
- affects respiratory system of animals either by inhibiting cellular metabolism or by 
decreasing oxygen permeability  of cell membranes, which is extremely  toxic  to fish. The results for nitrite indicated trace in samples taken from Dabus River while the concentration of nitrate is above the permissible limit ,(0.6'. mg/l), which indicates a probability of nitrate hazard
4.2  Socio-economic and Environmental Conditions
4.2.1 The People
Based on the annual population growth rate of 3%, the projected population of the Region and Assosa Zone are 909.271 and 360.328; respectively while the 4 project weredas viz. Assosa, Bambasi, Merge and Oda Bildiglu had an estimated population of 120,735; 56,450; 46,649 and 63 278, respectively in the year 2012 Based on this population projection, the average population density In Benishangul-Gumuz Region and Assosa Zone are about 18 and 31 people per square kilometer, respectively. The highest population densities are In Assosa (41 4) and Bambasi (38.6) weredas The details are illustrated in Table 1.9
The Benshangul Gumuz Region is composed of 90 ethnic groups (CSA 2007) and 85.4% of the population lives  in the rjral areas  while 14.6% are urban residents. The indigenous population of BGRS consists of five ethnic groups: Berta, Gumuz, Shinasha, Mao and Komo accounting for 26 7%, 23 4%, 7.0%, 0.6% and'0.2% of the total population, respectively. The remaining 42.1% of the population ate rio'fl-fridigenous to the region mainly Amhara, Oromo and other ethnic groups. The Berta ethnic group resides mainly in the 7 weredas of Assosa Zone and more than 96.3% of the population of this ethnic group is Muslims (CSA, 2007). The Gumuz ethnic group inhabits Metekel and Kamashi zones. Melekel Zone is also home (or the Shinasha people while the Mao Komo Special worda is home for Mao Komo people
As far as religion is concerned, nearly half (about 48 1%) of the total population of the region is Muslim, 35% Orthodox Christians, 14.3% Protestant. 7 5% follow Traditional African Religions while Catholics constitute 0 7% (CSA, 2007). It was also noted that significant numbers of resettlers were brought to the region from various parts of the country as a result of the national resettlement programme conducted by the previous government
With regard to languages, Ruthanl and Gumuz languages are the most widely spoken languages and considered as mother tongues. Rulani Is a language that is spoken by Berta people in most parts of Assosa Zone. Oromigna and Amharic languages are the second widely spoken languages. Amharic language serves as the working language of the region.
In a study conducted by Alemayehu Abet^q, e| al (2013), the average age of household heads  of settlers  was  higher than (pj^enous  people probably; the older people in
indigenous  community  are  more  engaged jn  gold  mining
r
rather  than  keeping  livestock 
Moreover, indigenous community had significantly higher family size than settlers which could be attributed to polygamy in indigenous people (Alemayehu Abebe. et al, 2013),
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With regard to the type of marriage in the project area, 55.6% (N = 55) practice polygamy while 44.4% (N= 44) get married with a single wife. The number of wives  a household marries range from 1 to 4 where households marry 3 and 4 wives account for only 10 and 4 per cent, respectively An average farmer marries 2 wives, which accounts for 41 4 per cent of the total respondents. The number of wives  a farmer marries  depends  on wealth status, especially cattle population, Out of the respondents married with 3 wives, 72 percent were in better-off strata white all of the households marred 4 wives were rich households (Table 4.2). The average age of the respondents was 40^ 7, years
Table 4.2: Frequency of wives per household head m the wealth status group
L L fiiS!*1 "r
■
Number of wives per household head
Total
1
2
3
4
Wealth status of the
household
better-ofl
6
10
7
4
35
medium
18
17
1
0
35
poor
20
6
2
0
28
Total
44
41
to
4
99
Source: Dabus Irrigation Project, Livestock Development Study, 2014
4.2.2 Farming System
Farming systems could be defined as a population that has broadly similar resource bases, enterprise patterns, household livelihoods  and constraints, and for which similar
development  strategies  and  interventions  would  be  appropriate  (FAO,  2001;  Doppler,  2002
in Beyene Teklu, et al, 2010). Farming system in lhe project area exhibits a combination of crop-livestock  production where crop production dominates  the livelihood. There are two major types of cuf.ivaticn in the area. Tho one dominantly practiced by the indigenous Berta communities  inhabiting Assosa Zone, is  hoe (Faile) based shifting cultivation while settlers practice permanent farming using mofcr. qtfactied plough. These communities  have their own long developed farming practites^ w£dtock  keeping, natural resource management, land holding and farming implements  are different among the Iwo communities. Each laming system (FS) has  different cioppinc  patterns, land use management and production potentials, and consequently  feed resources  for livestock  (AsARC, 2006). All the two systems are rain fed with limited irrigation practices
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily,
□nd then abandoned (FAO, 2001; Doppler. 2002 in B Tekiu, et al,, 2010). This system often involves clearing of a piece of land followed by several years of farming until the soil looses fertility Once the land becomes inadequate lor  crop production, it is left to be reclaimed by natural  vegetation,  and  a  previously  cultivaleo  field  will  be  cleared  of  the  natural  vegetation and  planted  in  crops  again  Permanent  farming  system  is  an  integration  of  crop-livestock production  where  oxen  based  crop  production  is  dominant  (AsARC,  2006)  and  crop  and livestock  production  practices  are  interdependent,  where  cropping  provides  animals  with crop  residues  and  aftermath  and  animals  provide  draught  power  for  ploughing  and  manure for fertilizing the crop land.
The major crops such as sorghum, maize, .sesame, noug, groundnut, haricot bean, mango, banana hoi pepper and sweet potato ana ^stimulants  are important sources  of food and income for the farmers  in both farrfiirlig^ysterms  (AsARC. 2006). Crop production is dominantly  dependent an rain-fed agriculture'although the potentials  of small, medium and large scales irrigation are very high.
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The land holding size differs  between indigenous  and the settlers. The indigenous  peoples own up to four hectares of cultivable land while that of settlers is in the range of 0 5 Io 0 8 ha per household (AsARC, 2006) However, a study conducted with the objectives of assessing the livestock  Feed resources  and feeding systems  of Assosa Zone indicates  that the farm size of households from shifting cultivation (SC) and permanent farming systems (PFS) were 6 04 ha and 1.26 ha. respectively. .About 70.8% of respondents from SC get new land by clearing of lard without shifting to other places on average within 5.66 years (Beyene Tekiu el al.. 2010). According io this survey( 70 8% of farmers get new land by clearing of land without shifting, 11 1% by clearing of land wjlh shifting and 18.1% by fallowing. The higher landholding of shifting cultivators may be dt^-to expansion of farm land without restriction by clearing of forest either by shifting or without'shifling to other places. In addition to this, low population density of the area could have allowed individual farmers larger landholding.
4.2.3 Land Use/Land Cover of the Project Command Area
Woody  Bio mass  Inventory  and Strategic  Planning Project (WBISPP, 2003). using Arc view/GIS software, determined the areas  under different land cover for areas  under the current project. The survey was as detailed as it was in Amhara and Tigray regions and the results  are summarized in to nine main land cover types  (bare land, cultivated land, grassland, lowland bamboo, natural forest, shrub land, water bodies, wetland and woodland) Table 4.3 indicates  the area for each Land Cover type, The geographical distributions of the main Land Cover types are shown on Map 4.3.
Table 4.3: Areas of Land Cover Types of Dabus Irrigation Project Area (ha)
Land Caver Tynes
Weredas in the project area
Assosa
Bambasi
Menege
Oda Bildiglu
Project Aiea Total
Bare land
3,565 1
-
-
2490
3,614
Cultivated land
27,491 6
3327.6
-T." i 19,090.4
6,300.2"
53,290
Grassland
1,333.9
t: 1,729.9
2.055.9
6,256
Lowland Bamboo
43,413.2
71161?$
< 15,662.7
16,639.4
147 J 06
Natural Fares!
730 1
1255.9
554 1
830.4
2,870
Shrub land
06,470 3
7962 5
37,420 5
33,791.6
165,645
Water
43.7
332 2
343.0
369.8
1.089
Wetland
537.4
00
168.5
544.7
1,251 '
, Woodland
126.300.4
56029.6
89,805 6
103,615.6
375.751
Total
757.072
Source: Dabus Irrigation Project, Livestock Developmen
Study, 2014
4.2.4 Infrastructure
-
The town Assosa, the capital of Benshangul Gumuz  Region is  large and busy  urban settlement with well-developed infrastructure The towns’ center has  electricity  from the national grid,, piped water, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, primary and secondary schools, and an agricultural college and a university.
*i
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Map 4 .3 Land Use/Land Cover map of Dabus Irrigation Project Command Area
31
w anuary, 2016Waterworks Design arw Supervision Erterpriso
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I*
The major road that connects the region to major terminal markets is the one that connects Assosa with Addis Ababa via Nekemte which has currently been upgraded to an asphalt road The region is also accessible by air transport. There are three flights a week from Addis to Asossa via Jimma and Gam bell a. '(bp overall inadequacy ot transport infrastructure read network is exacerbated by  do^t ro^d _rnainlenar.ee and the region is still not well connected internally. Many wereda towns are not connected with each other and some of the weredas in the project area can be reached from Asossa only via Oromia and Amhara regions. The major means  of transportation m the region are human portage and pack animals mainly donkeys There are urban taxi services (Minibus and Bajaj) in mast wereda towns.
Although remarkable changes are seen in telecommunication and postal service in certain towns of the region, it is still not well developed in some weredas and kebeles Moreover, even though digital telephone station is limited to a few towns; many of the wereda towns including some kebele councils have manual telephone systems,
4.3 Institutions Involved in Fishery Development
Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations that are involved in promoting fishery development activities in the project area include Ministry of Agriculture, regional, zonal and werecJa Agriculture and Rural Development Bureaus and Offices, Nalional Fishery & Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC), Asossa University, Assosa Agricultural Technical arid Vocational Education and Training College.Sod'Assosa Agricultural Research Center There are over 36 NGOs operating in the regional owe ver, none of them are participating in fishery development related activities.
4.3,1 National Fishery & Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC)
The Nalional Fishery & Aquatic Lite Research Center was established together with (he establishment of the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) tn 1997 through the proclamation No. 79/1997. The then Gebeta Fish Culture Station, established in 1997 by the lhen Ministry of Agriculture was officially transferred to EARO with the mandates of conducting support and coordinate research on fisheries and other living aquatic resources in the country.
The mission of the center is to import and generate technologies and scientific information that can sustainably utilize lhe country's fishery resource and production of Lhe sector towards achieving food security and improve livelihoods of the society. The major objectives of the center include:
•    Adopt and generate technologies and scientific information on capture fisheries, limnology and aquaculture. . i, j . L
•    Coordinate and support researcha^v fish and other aquatic fauna and flora and limnology of Ethiopian water bodies? '
•    Establish and strengthen collaborative research with international and governmental and local stakeholders.
» Provide technical support and training to governmental and non-governmental organizations and private sectors in enhancing fishery research and development
•    Rearing of fingerlings to stock into natural and man-made water bodies.
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The center is  equipped with basic infrastructure and research facd-ties including laboratory, hatchery and research ponds (Figure A2, A3 and A4). The ponds are of two types, concrete walled ponds  (12) and earthen ponds  (35) with varying sizes  ranging from 50 m; to over 900m’ and help improve fish fry  propagation to be distributed Io farmers  and other beneficiaries  The water for ponds  isjsuppli^from a borehole system. Up to the year ended 2012; the center slocked over 3 million fish fingerlings, mainly  Orichromis  niloticus  into different water bodies over the country including the newly built Tendaho dam, Recently, the center embarked on expanding small scale pond fish farming at farmer's backyards and farm fields, which agrees with Dabus Irrigation Project Objectives
Currently  the center propagates  and maintains  five different exotic  and indigenous  fish species  in the ponds  mainly  for research purposes. The first four species, which are commercially valuable food fish, are chosen for public stocking, These include;
•     Nile tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica)
•    Tilapia (Tilapia zilli)
•    African catfish (Claris garipinus)
•     Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
•    Gold fish (Carassius auratus) 4.3,2 Bureau of Agriculture (BoA), V:' ’
*
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is responsible for fisheries development in the country lor the development and management of the fisheries  all over the country. Similarly, the regional offices  of Agriculture and Rural Development are also the responsible organs  for fishery  development in lheir own respective regional sellings  Beyond the responsibility  for fishery  and aquaculture administration and development, these organs  are also key  organs for enforcement of fisheries  regulations  licensing, collection and reporting of fishery statistics, market surveys and quality control Moreover, regional and wereda level
cooperative   development   offices   are   also   responsible   for   establishing   and   promoting
fishermen cooperatives.
»»,
Il was  learnt during the field investigation despite the huge resource base for fishery development, there was  no single expert specialized in the field of fisheries  Activities regarding fishery development in the region are carried out by regional, and wereda livestock development experts  This  indicates  thai the sub-sector is  completely  neglected though lhe resources are rampant and can contribule a lot for realizing food security m lhe region.
The extension activities  regarding fishery  development in the region is  below expectations and limited to some input supply donate^ ^rgnp the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Irt the year
ended 2005 EC, lhe
region has distributed, 749 kg head
f
rop, 1,354 different size (2,7,8,10)
hooks, to 8 potential weredas in the region
According to the information obtained from regional council, the settlement program of the regional government to bring the dispersely  placed farmers  together to deliver social services  is  at its  completer, phase. About 40.590 households  were settled in 221 villages (Table 4 4) between 2011 up to 2014 and about 92% of the plan has been achieved The number of settlement areas in Assosa Zone accounts for 76 kebeles inhabited by 14,738
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Dabus        irrigation        Design        and        Study        Project        Fishery        Development        Studyyy^/Report
settlers. The remaining 3,600 households will be settled in 2015. For the settled farmers all social facilities  such as  potable water for human and livestock  drinking, clinics, school, Farmers  Training Center (FTC) and flour mills  have already  been established and road construction is  underway  To ensure sustainability, it is  quite imperative to focus  on agriculture by  availing improved technologies  at reliable quantity  and quality. According to Ato Kinde Haile (personal communication^ the villagization process  will help decline the yearlong practices of shifting cultivation, ant^rve way to intensive farming. It will also create a good opportunity  for fishery  especially, aquaculture development at lhe backyard The numbers of villages organized so far and their corresponding population figures are given in Table 4.4,
Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the existing fish farming situation in the area, which is  contingent on a variety  of factors, the most important of which are technical expertise, financial investment, production inputs and support services
Table 4.4 Number of villages and households settled in Assoa Zone
Number of Househo'd Heads
Population
Wereda
No of
kebeles
Male
Female
Total
No of
Development
team
Male
female
Total
Assosa
22
2666
-
2686
132
1606
504
2310
Mambasi
19
3635
138
3733
194
3635
138
3733
Menge
8
125
451
2146
125
125
451
2146
Kurmuk
3
110
30
148
7
110
30
148
Sherkok?
5
1639
273
2112
78
1839
273
2112
Oda
19
4652
967 /
X, 5819
254
4852
967
5019
Zonal Total
76
132-57
186/7*
J7B844
790
12367
2371
14738
Source: Assosa Zone Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development Department. 2014
4.3,3  Assosa Agricultural Research Center
Paws and Asossa Agricultural Research Centers were established in 19B5 with the support of Bako Research Center by  the former Institute of Agricultural Research with the aim of generating agricultural technologies and information that improve the agricultural production and productivity in the respective areas of lhe region. Pawe Agricultural Research Center is mandated to lake care of the Metekel Zonb where as Assosa Agricultural Research Center (AsARC) mainly  serves  Assosa, Bambasi. Homosha, Kamashi, Yaso, rnaokomo special Wereda of lhe region, and Begi, Mendi of western oromia regions (AsARC, 2006).
The center is engaged in livestock, apiculture and fishery related research activities by giving focus on lhe following five species in that order of priority: goats for meat and milk, poultry, equines  for draught, cattle for milk  and meat and Apiculture The research areas  include, characterizations  of indigenous  goat, poultry, donkey  and cattle, on farm and on station; introduction and evaluation of exotic and crossbreeding poultry breeds; livestock husbandry and management practices for goaj, ppuljny^ donkey and cattie; animal feed and nutrition evaluation; grazing land management; livestock  diseases  (survey, identification and management) and evaluation of bee colonies and honey production practices.
Different  annual  and  perennial  grasses  and  legumes  were  evaluated  at  research  site. Amongst lhe annual and perennial forages and legumes, Doliccus lablab {Labtab
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purpureus),  Sudan  grass  (Sorghum  sudanense);  Cajanus cajanand  Desmodium  uncinalum fcv. siliver) produced high dry matter yield (AsARC, 2006).
However, despite the sub sector is  one ol the case teams  under l ivestock  Research Process, nothing has  been attempted in fishery  related researches  Ihough the region is endowed with numerous perennial rivers that could be used to bridge food security gaps. According to Ato Getahun Dereje, Center Manager, there is a plan to undertake research in fish production under reservoirs and irrigation canals in collaboration with Sebeta National Fishery and Other Aquatic Life Research'£&n_ler (NFALRC).
4.34 Development Activities of NGOs
Nongovernmental organizations operating in the region are doing their best to mitigate the socio-economic  problems  of the people in the region. These days, there are more than eighteen international and local oriented NGOs within the region These NGO's took part in the region in the areas of health, water, education, agriculture, gender and HIV/ AIDS, food security, capacity  building, good governance and the like in collaboration with lhe government, sectoral institutions as well as. with the community of lhe region al large.
Most of the origins of the NGO'S in lhe region are from abroad, however, there are also local oriented NGO’s like hope enterprise and adult and non-informal education association in Ethiopia (ANFEA). which are involved in enhancing awareness  about HIV/AIDS and provides education to lhe people of the region. Among the expatriate NGOs in Benishangul Gumuz. World Vision, Oxfam UK. ZOA and GISP are some of the NGOs that are engaged in general agricultural education and capacity building in particular in bee keeping, veterinary, cooperative support and microfinance. Their activities focused on cattle and goat rearing for fattening and ploughing, donkey distribution .for transports, beehive distribution and training on modern livestock  husbandry  pfacticeSj/ISome NGOs  like Wortd Vision. CHF were distributing cross-heifers and breeding bulls to farmers.
Among these enormous NGOs, no one is specifically or integratively involved in fisheries and aquaculture development. It is only the governmental organizations, mainly Bureau of Agriculture that is providing some fishing gears donated from elsewhere. Most NGOs lack systematic and integrative approaches and rules to be followed for rural development and fail to consider the local peoples' needs to address the critical problems It seems that NGOs never consult appropriate governmental institutions and lhe services provided by them are not integrative so that they could not bring change.
4.3.5 Training Institutions
There is one ATVET College rn the region The Assosa Agricultural TVET College is under ATVET programme since 1992 and currently run under regional government. The duration of the training is three years and lhe successful graduates are awarded diplomas. A total of 3,034 students were trained since 1996 (‘table 4.5). The college could be one of the sources of the supply of skilled manpower and cap. provide short-term trainings to the proposed projects  Very  recently, the collage js^apning to enroll 1200 students  for the Ihree departments (Animal Science, Crop'Sclence'and Natural Resource Management).
Table 4.5: Number of graduate regular students from 1997 - 2006 E C. by sex and department
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Fishery Deve lopnien* Sludy/y/^jPepoi 1
Year of
Graduation
’ Animal Science
Plant Science
Natural Resource
M
F
M
Ff
Total
M
F
1997
26
6
54
7
20
10
123
1530
118
22
170
7
393
23
733
1999
44
9
46
7
78
11
197
2000
136
24
111
11
131
10
425
2QCt
51
35
60
24
55
15
250
2M2
87
68
10Z t
't
J3
117
41
458_
2003
56
28
16
115
28
343
2004
41
26
22
15
215
2005
35
33
50
19
51 -1 32
10
179
2006
11
29
21
16
18
16
111
Total
607
280
775
172
1020
180
3,034
Source: Assosa Agricultural TVET College Office of Registrar. December 2014
Though established recently (2012), Assosa University is also giving several agricultural courses for students who have joined the university from all parts of the country including the southern region There are three departments  under Agricultural Faculty, viz. Animal Science. Crop Science and Natural Resource Management Fishery and Aquaculture is one of lhe three credit hour courses and given to Animal Science students by professional instructors. The first batch of 27 Animal Science students, with a sex ratio of 17 male and 10 female, have been graduated in 2014. Moreover lhe university is willing to work jointly to exhaustively utilize the rampant fishery resource base, especially Hidase Dam, reservoirs and irrigation canals for food security and poverty alleviation endeavors
4.4 Fishery Resource Base In the project Command Area
I
4.4.1 Fishery Resource Potential ofj.Major Rivers
The project area (Bambasi, Oda Bildiglu, Menege and Assosa weredas) is endowed with ample natural resources and perennial and seasonal rivers with diversified fish species and potential for fish production There are 15 permanent and 13 intermittent rivers charging lhe Dabus River year round of which Tumet River. Anidel River. Abegu Fedi River and Oundulu River feed the Dabus River directly, which can be exploded for fishery development In the project command area All of the 10 perennial rivers feeding the Dabus River are on the right bank. Furthermore, seven intermittent rivers are also charging the reservoir during rainy seasons Table 4.6 gives the permanent rivers feeding the Dabus River and the reservoir.
The major rivers with fishery potential in the project command area include Dabus River in Menege Wereda; Dabus and Afa rivers in Bambasi Wereda Dabus and Tumet in Assosa Wereda and Dabus River in Oda Bildiglu weredas. The main permanent rivers are stretched for about 127 km inside lhe command areas. At Dabus sub basin, the main river channel Is River Dabus, which is one of the largest rivers crossing (he region with an approximate distance of 1 SO km. The length of the river in the project command area is about 54 km.
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Dabus Irrigation Design and Study Project ________ Fishery Dovclopmcnt 5 ludyypy}^ Report Table 4,5: Permanent Rivers within the project command were das)
Volume IV - Pan X
Rivers
Length    within    the    region    I (km)
Length within tho
command area (km)
Abegu Fedi R
S 44
6 44
AblshE R
6.20
3.71
Afi R.
27 39
0 15
An id el R
4.29
4 29
Ashaka R
3.31
3 31
Belihe R.
4.05
4.05
Beneshed R.
3.81
0 09
Dabus R
f                       179.70
5306
Fintsatsi R
,
31.56
623
Kelidishu R.
' r                                                           22 64
19.12
Koka R.
15.78
0.00
Ouniduiu R
9.21
9 21
I asa R
15.60
0.06 1
Tumctt R
91.71
9.46
Zumibala R.
6 60
6 B0
Total
428.59
J                          _     126.79
Source: GIS Data. CSA (2007)
Table 4 7. Intermittent Rivers that feed the Dabus River in the project command area
River Name
Type
Length in meter
Kebetes crossed
A^adare R
Intermittent River
8518.6
Sinyor
Adirshe R
Intermittent River
1012.9
Fadindu
Mbeker R.
Intermittent River
2507.9
Smyor
Belbatsu R.
Intermittent River
4866 4
Fadindu
Qehniur R
Intermittent River
2046.8
Gambeladale
Dashuea R.
Intermittent River
. J . 2&73.O
Sinyor
Dolihe R.
Intermittent River
■■ J                3B58 0
BelifucJi and Gambcladale
Esese R.
Intermittent River
6421 8
1 Bela Fida and Sinyor
Gclgole R.
Intermittent River
1847.7
Sinyor
Guna R
Intermittent River
12136
Bela Fida
klanbush R
Intermittent River
2369 3
Sinyor
Mana R
Intermittent River
6296.0
Fadindu and Mugufude
Shega R.
Intermittent River
14456 2
Fadindu, Bela Fida and Sinyor
Large rivers  are among the most biologically  productive and diverse of aquatic  ecosystems which provide value to society  through fishing. Aquatic  plants  take up excess  nutrients-such as  nitrate ana phosphorus--from agricultural and urban runoff, and some of those plants  are the food base for fish The main sources of carbon and nutrients constituting the fish In large rivers originate in the floodplains, or perhaps the upstream tributaries, or even the plants that grow within the river itself.
As can be seen from Table 4.6, though there are 15 perennial rivers in the project command
□nd reservoir areas, there was no fishery of commercial importance so far. There is however a qreat scope for much greater and higheihoutput from fisheries through:
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a) Intensification or greater use of modern inculs of production,
b) Extensification or expansion of area under production.
4.4.2 Fish Production Potential and Annual Catch in the Rivers
The current survey indicated that from the 12 command kebeies in 4 weredas, 9 kebele's population inhabiting along the shoreline have an active participation In riverine fishery while 3 kebeies viz, Aieamer, Sinyor and Bela Fida, have no access for fishing as they do nol possess water bodies.
As indicated under section 4.4.1. there are 15 perennial rivers in the project command area of which 3 have potential for fish production The main perennial rivers with fishery potential include Dabus. Tumet and Afa rivers. Dabus River is the main river in the project command
shoreline catch fish mainly  for subsistence. Tumet and Afa rivers  are rich mainly  in Oriochromis nilotica and fishing is active during winter season Though the river has large potential for fishery, fishing activities are artisanal and commercial fishery is in its pioneer stage. However, a large segment of the rural population relies  on these waters  for their subsistence either in form of household consumption and/or small scale marketing in the nearby villages. No exact data is available on the extent of such subsistence fisheries nor the quantity or value landed
The landing site al Dabus  Kebele is  difficult and hippopotamus  and crocodiles  make the fishing activity difficult (Figure A5 and A6).'According to the views of fishermen in the project area, the flow rate of Dabus River slows down in winter as it overflows the main course and the catch is higher In the flood plain. During summer seasons, however, the river returns to its  normal course with higher speed As  the fishermen possess  traditional gears  that are inefficient, fishing is practiced under peripheries and the catch volume is smaller. During the months  of November and December fishing wilh hooks  is  difficult and only  gillnets  are efficient.
Rivers  are characterized by  flowing water,'  typically  with low retention limes  and low productivity. The populations  of primary’ producers  are generally  small and much of the organic matter in river systems is allochthonous, i.e. derived from outside sources (Marshall, B. and Maes, M., 1995). The fish yields of the polenlial rivers in the project command and reservoir areas has been estimated using the Weicomme s (1985) model that relates the fish yield to the length of the main channel (km).
The total fish production estimate from the three potential rivers of the project command area is about 10.0 ton/year and the contribution of Dabus River accounts for about 9 7 ton per annum while the yield estimate of the same in the region is over 108 tons. On the other hand, the recorded fish production in the region increased Ihrough time from 4.3 tons in 2001 E.C to 23.5 tons in 2006 EC (Table 4.9), which is higher than the region's five year Growth and Transformation Plan (15 3 tons by 2007 E C). However, it is much lesser than the potential yield of 2,400 t/year estimated by  ESAP (2007) Thus, this  plan should be revised and need to consider the production potential of the nvers and the big Renaissance Dam as the current production potential considered only the major rivers. Similarly, as can be seen from Table 4.9, the plan for fish catch in the Assosa Zone was  13.9 of which Assosa, Bambasi and Oda Bildiglu weredas account for 1.0. 4.14 and 8.75 ton per annum
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eped
This indicates that Oda Bildiglu Wereda has the highest potential in fish production followed by Bambasi Wereda
Table 4.6 Fish production potential from permanent rivers in the project command area
Rivers
Length within
the region
(km)
Fishery
potential
(Uyear)
I
Contribution
i'
Length   in command area (km)
Fishery
potential
(Vyear)
Contribution
(%)
Afi R.
27.39
2 50
' 1 01
0 15
0 00
0 03
Dabus R,
17978
10774
77.92
53.88
9.68
97 01
Tumel R.
91.71
28.04
20.28
9 46
0 30
2 99
Total
29B.B8
138.28                 100.00
63.48
j..
9.97
100.00
Source: The current survey (December, 2014) Table 4.9, Annual fish catch by year (tons) (all species)
At Regional Level
Year 2001 EC 2002 E.C 2D03 E.q, - 2094 E C 2005 E,C J 2006 EC 2007 E.C
Planned
-
*
6:25 •
7.6
Achieved
A?
5.0
50
9.25
-
-
Assosa Zone
Planned
12.0 17.0 19 0 ; 23 5 2 78 I 9 0
13 89
| Achieved
-
It 06
__- ____   0 523
Lb 139               10.585
Source -
Agriculture and Rural Development 2014
-I
It is  also known that Dabus  and some of its  tributaries  are productive rivers  containing diverse fish fauna of high commercial values  As  such its  economic  contribution to lhe local economy  is  very  significant. Apart from providing food security  to the local community  at all times  throughout (he year, it could create job opportunities  for lhe commercial fishers rf managed properly.
In most oi the project area fishing is  practiced year round but during winter months  it is impossible lo fish on Dabus River as the water overflows the course and difficult to set gears and even risky for the fishermen themselves. Fishing is usually practiced from 4 pm up lo 6
pm and fishing seasons vary at Dabus River from kebele to kebele Fishermen in Bambasi
Wereda do not catch during winter months as the river overflows the embankment with high turbidity while in Eda Dabus, winter favors fishirig as the flooded areas are simpler to catch
with traditional tools
Despite the existence of diverse fish species and abundant fishery resource base, the study area is one of the food deficient areas of the country and the contribution of fish in the diets of households is low and fish consumption is often restricted to dwellers that live close to the rivers and is often targeted lo fulfill the household requirement.
The main reasons for the- subsisted level fish production in the studied areas are:
■    The use of locally constructed fishing gears that are labor intensive and less efficient, *    Very limited accessibility to the landing sites,
- Inaccessibility to potential market areas,
*     Absence of the use of methods that could prolong lhe shelf life of products for safe transportation to distant potential market,
■    Lack of training and extension services with respect to fishery.
*     Unavailability of research programs to enhance fishery in the region.
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4.4.3 Fish Species Diversity in the Project Area
I he knowledge of fish species and their distribution is very important for the management of fishery in lhe project area The current survey indicates that the fish species in the project command area show very limited diversity and only 5 species mportanl for food are reported to be abundant m the water bodies (Table 4.10). These include Cichlidae, Clandae (Figure AB and A19), Cyrimdae (Figure A7 and AS), and Mormyridae (Figure A10) in that order of abundance and preference Among the five species. Onchromis niliticus, Clarias ganpmus and Barbus intermedius are the rnosl abundant species commonly landed in the surveyed command areas. However, Orichromis niliticus was not observed in the fish markets during the survey period. Though have no market value, Labeo forskalii and Mormyrus nilolicus are also  fish  species  consumed  by  local  people  mainly  during  winter  seasons.  Morrrtyrus nilolicus is a difficult species to be caught by locally made traps such as Amershi According to fishermen interviewed, it will not inter into the trap if Barbus interred first
Table 4 10 Dominant fish species in the project command area in order of abundance
Family
Species name
Common
name /
Local name
Distribution
Cichlidae
Oreochromis
niloticus
Tilapia
Bullti
Dabus, Tumet. Afa
Qaridae
Cyprinidae
Clarias
gariepinus
Catfish
Aqarolo/Aba Reda/Ambaza
Dabus, Tumet. Afa
Barbus 
intermedius
Barbu s
Yegudefudi
Dabus. Tumet Afa
Cyprinidae
Labeo forskalii.
Labeo
Mutish/Semckalhaser
(Arabic)
Dabus, Tumet, Afa
| Mormyridae
Mormyrus
nilolicus
Mormyrus
Ashemelben al/ Ago Imdu
Dabus, Tumet, Afa
Similar findings were reported by MoA (2QT1), were Cichlidae, Clariidae and Cyprinidae are the major fish species  dominant in Dabus  River According to this  sludy, Dabus  River exhibited the lowest fish diversity only with 3 species followed by Dcdessa River In the Dabus River, the dominant Tish species caught during sampling was catfish (C. gariepinus) with a proportion of 83%, Apart from its richness in diversity, the biggest fish weighing 4.5 kg has been recorded in this river caught by a gilt net of 12cm stretched mesh (MoA, 2011). However, the proportion of fish species caught and the fresh weight reported varies in the current study. As can be seen from Figure A 8 and A19), the largest cal fish in the Bambasi market weighed about 15 kg and that of Barbus intermedius accounts for over 2 kg in Dabus Alimbaqo Kebele The composition of fish; species varies with kebeles in that catfish is the most frequently seen species in Bambasi market white Barbus dominated the markets of Dabus Atimaqo, Fudindu and Shaga Demazin. ■
According to the results of the joint Ethio-Russian biological expedition teams taxonomical survey  (JERBE report 1992, 1996 and 2000 in ESAP. 2007) seven fish species  were identified from Dabus River. The differences in numbers of species inhabiting various river systems are largely attributable to the size of the river as represented by its basin area The main fish catches are Barbus and Clarius species (ESAP, 2007) According to Glubtsov et al (2003), the number of species appears to be negatively correlated with altitude. The decrease in number of fish species from Idwer to upper reaches is typical of most river system of the world. In Ethiopia this decrease is especially pronounced because of sleep altitudinal gradients  and occurrence of rich lowland faunas  in most basins. This  survey revealed that apart from the altitude of the area, which mainly matters the diversity, long
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term turbidity of the river water also seen .determining the number of species to be found in the waler body, Compared to the other, rivef.s, the diversity of fish in Dabus River is by far lower than the other rivers  because of its  lower transparency  and higher altitude (MoA 2011), which agrees with the current findings
In most cases, fishing is throughout the year while in some cases there are months in which fishing activity ceases But the fishermen in the project area used to fish all seasons of the year though the catch declines  during winter when the water level becomes  higher and difficult to set fishing gears.
The stakeholder and fishermen's  groups  consultations  carried out at different kebeles indicate that catch per landing has decreased now days as compared to some 20 years before where more than 30 fish were caught every two days which has now decreased to only 6-10 fish All Tish harvested are either seif-consumed and/or sold locally or in the nearby markets.
4.4.4 Fishing Gears and Methods Employed
As with the Fish communities of tropical apd sub-tropical rivers, the Dabus River and its perenn'al tributaries are diverse containing, a’[arge number of species, most of which differ to some degree in their selection of habitat; dieV? migration pattern and ease of capture, Fishing is conducted in artisanal way in the project area Most of the fishing gears used were locally made traps, and hooks, which are labor intensive, time consuming and Inefficient. Mostly, fishing is done individually in all areas and on the average 5-15 Tishes per person per catch has been reported Generally, fishing gears used by the natives of Bertha ethnic group in the project   command   area   include   Hooks   &   line   (Aljebad),   basket   traps   (Amershi   or Konshe/Komij, Gillnel (Shebegaj, Amermaze, and seeds and leafs of poisonous plants 4.4.4.1 Hook and Line (Aljebad)
Hook is a simplest form of fishing which requires only a line and a baited hook. Hook and line refers to gear to which fish are attracted by natural or artificial bait placed on a hook, on which they  are caught Hook  and line fishing Is  inexpensive and easy. Locally  available materials, such as worms, small fishes and meat can be used as baits, and some selectivity can be achieved by using hooks of various sizes Hook and line fishing is generally
considered an environmentally friendly but labor-intensive fishing method that catches fish of high quality  The long line hooks  are used to catch many  types  of fish species  including catfishes Although fewer fish are caught than with gillnets and traps, this method has the advantage of being cheap and easy to
.pi"' -
Hook  is  purchased from Sudan and also some artisans  make it locally  in all kebeles, Imported different size hooks are available at different town such as Bamasi and Fudindu. These hooks are attached with 4 to 6 m long mono-filament line Fishers in Bambasi Wereda used largest hooks so as to catch bigger fishes to the size of catfish (A8 and A9) The price of fish hooks differs depending on the place and hook size.
4.4 4.2 Trap-net (Amershi or KonsheJKoiniJ
i; ,
Dominantly,  two  types  of  fish  traps  were  known  to  operate  in  the  project  area.  These  are
usually  baited  and  un-baifed  type.  Baited  traps  used  include  Amershi  (Ruthani)  and  hook 
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and line fAljebad, Ruthani) (Figure A12 and All). Generally, (raps are passive fishing gears 
that are usually set on traditional sites in the path of migrating fish in relatively shallow
coastal waters. Different types of basket tpps 'are mainly made of lowland bamboo with
different modifications.
,
' rJ"
"Amershi" is a bulb shape like hives with broader mouth part and shallower end (Fig A12) made of bamboo stripe. U has small circular opening (about 20 cm) al lhe lip where *he fish enters at wider side of traps. Il can catch up to 70 fishes at a time at every two to three days interval but the average catch ranges from 6 to 10 fishes. Farmers used a bunch or cluster of sorghum or maize with cob as bait to attract fish, but some of them use non-baited. This locally made trap is used to catch fish only at peripheries of the river as it should be tied up with a trunk it catches all types of fish but larger catfish in lhe river. Fishers reported thal Mormyrus  nilollcus  (Ashemelbenat/Agollnde) does  not inter into the trap if Barbus (Yegudefudi) is inside. Leader-netting herds and guides fish into a holding chamber or pound where they are entrapped The fish can enter into the trap Ihrough circular opening but its backward movement is protected by a structure like herring rib located sideways,
A more simple and funnel shaped trap (Figure A13) made of bamboo is being used by Gumuz ethnic group in Sirba Abay (Tsedal) Wereda, which is located by Abay River, The trap known under the local name ‘Amermaze" (Ruthani) is used to trap fish from Boqa River every day Popcorn is also used as a bit in Sirba Abay.
i ■ ..j-
Fishermen in Boqa Denbi Kebele divertStf-.the river channel by building barrage (Agaba. Arulhani) and place the "Amermaze" an the ramp so that lhe fish infers in lo the trap during the night. Fish species interred in to the chamber cannot move backwards as the pressure of the waler pushes the fish forwards and keeps inside and the slits entrap lhe fins. Here, lhe catch is collected every day.
The traps  are easy  to use because they  can be made out of local materials  and set anywhere. Basket traps are often being set along the river channels. Fish traps of this kind have been traditionally used for centuries in the water bodies of the project area, bul are increasingly being superseded by modern'techniques like gill nets. Their use should be encouraged, however, because they  are cheap, needing only  local materials  for their construction, and they can be very profitable at times when lhe water level is falling and draining the flooded areas These traditional traps are easy lo transport, handle as well as relatively predator-safe but with some difficulty lo haul. The catch is usually alive when brought to lhe market, which provides the fishermen with a greater number of options to add value ta the catch.
4.4,4.3 Gill-net (Sheboga)
t
The use of gill nets  in the project* a^^s^a very  recent phenomenon However, some purchased, donated and locally made gillnets were observed in Dabus Kebele of Bambasi Wereda and Belfudi Kebele of Oda Bildiglu Wereda. Some of the fishermen like the Nigerians in bambsi and Belfudi kebeles make locally their own gill net. The gill nels used are either nylon monofilament gill nets (7 to 9 cm stretched mesh size, 20 rr. long) or multifilament nets (B to 12 cm stretched mesh sizes, 100 m long). Because of their relatively low cost and the ease with which they can be used and maintained, gillnets have become the most wanted commercial fishing gear in the project command area. The fishermen's
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groups like in Dabus Kebeles of Bambast Wereda cut the long gill net in to pieces, say tn to four to suit the river width.
As can be evidenced from the catch delivered to the local markets, the fishers do not select the mesh size, which can have a severe effect on the fish stocks  (Figure A11) The selectivity  of gillnets  can be regulated through restrictions  on the mesh sizes  that can be used and many  countries  impose hmiiaiiorts^The rationale for such restrictions  should be explained to fishermen, since lhe use of illicit mesh sizes  can often provide a substantial increase in the catch over the short term.
Gillnetting is a very versatile and flexible fishing method but lhe species selectivity is poor. In addition, fish are often injured and die during capture; accordingly, catch quality  is  typically not as  good as  with traps  and long lines, although gillnets  may  also give catch of good quality when the time lhe net is left in the water to fish is short. The gill net is also sensitive to floating vegetation and will not operate in strong flows.
Beach seines which are relatively unselective are not well known in the area. Many small
water bodies, especially reservoir, are unsuitable for this gear because of drowned trees, submerged rocks or irregular bottoms, but beach seines can be extremely effective in areas 
that allow their use. When used improperly they can seriously affect fish stocks, and their
use should be carefully regulated.
A growing problem seems la be the use of small-meshed nets, often gillnets with a mesh of less  (han 10 mm or mosquito gauze, as  improvised beach seines  These (ypes  of nets  are being used to catch fingerlings  from DaM River to stock  fish ponds  This  practice is especially  damaging when used to'cafcV'Wapias  in their breeding areas, since the nets destroy vegetation in the nursery areas In addition to catching the fish themselves.
4.4.4.4   Boats
Al some parts  of Dabus  River (Bambasi and Belfudi) fishers  use different sized simple wooden boats, mainly for fishing and transportation (crossing (he river! The size of the boats ranges born 4 to 8 m long Such boats are also available at River Dedessa River They are used to fish at far distantly  locations  where trap setting is  difficult. However, its  possession depends on the economic power and is beyond the reach of poor fishermen.
4.4.4.5   Fish Poisons
In addition to these locally  made fishing gears, the use of poisonous  plants  to harvest fish was  found to be common practice in the studied areas  Fishermen, stakeholders, community consultation participants  and key  informants  disclosed the application of slupefacient or poison plants  lo catch fish deadly  or unconscious  in lhe project area. About 57 per cent of lhe respondents responded “Yes" to the ques|iO(rt“Do you use poisoning plants to fish?" The application of locally  used poisoning plaid^qrushed seed) in most part of lhe upland forest areas  (1COO - 25000 masl) of the couqtryi^Btrbira (Milleltia ferruginea) is  not known in the project area and ralher a crushed bark  and roots  of local tree called 'Dimbizi, Rulhani'  and twig (Gussala. Rulhani). respectively  are used widespread in the surveyed area. Figure A15 and A16 in the annex shows the twig and its roots used lo poison fish around the dam srle at Belfudi Kebele Crushed Gussala root, after crushing in a mortar is  spread over the water body where it is shallow and stable.
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T able 4.11 Frequency of fishermen using poisoning plants
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Sludy/CyH^ P sport
-
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative Percent
Yes
17
38.6
567
56 7
Valid
No
13
29 5
43 3
100.0
Total
30
68 2
100.0
Missing
System
14
318
Total
44
■ 1'cd.p
—
7he practices  of poisoning worsen not only  the fish stock  of the water bodies  but it also affects human beings and livestock directly. It kills both juveniles and adults, indiscriminately It threatens  replacement and existence of the resource. Moreover, most of these poisons suffocate the fish, since they are either vasoconstrictors or affect lhe red blood cells The fish rise to the surface where they can be easily captured and poisoning can be an effective way of capturing fish. It Is also very wasteful because many fish die and do not come to the surface and, being unseleclive, is very damaging to fish stocks if used extensively For this reason, the country as well as the region should prohibit the use of this method.
4.4.4.6 Number and Types of Fishing Gears Used
Fishermen in the surveyed kebeles used a combination of fishing gears The locally made trap (Amershi, Ruthanl) is  lhe most frequently  used single fishing gear and accounts  for about 21 per cent of the respondents (Table 4 12). Those fishers owned three type of gears (hook & line, gill net and Amershi) account for about 21 percent while lhe majority of fishers (30 per cent) were used two types  of fishing gears  (hook  & line and lhe trap known as Amershi). Only  a single fisherman has  us^donly  one gear (hook  & line) and similarly  a single fisherman (the Nigerian) possessed^ boat in Belfudi Kebele.
On the other hand, out of the 24 fishermen responded, about 50 per cent and 25 per cent
were used single and two hook & lines, respectively. Those fishermen owned 15 and 20
hooks & lines account for only 4 per cent of the respondents. Similarly, those fishermen possessing 1 and 2 traps (Amershi) accounts for 45 per cent each and only single
respondent owned 5 traps The frequency of fishers owned single, two and Ihree gill nets account for 70 percent. 10 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively (Table 4.13 and Table A3,
A4 and A5). The minimum, maximum and mean holdings accounts for 1, 20 and 3 hooks & line; 1, 5 and 1 71 trap (Amershi) and 1, 3 and 1 50 gill nets (Shebega), respectively (Table
4.12).
The following Tables  show the type and combination of fishing gears  used in lhe project area It also shows  the number of fishing gears  owned by  a fisherman The data was collected from the fishermen in respective command kebeles
Table 4.12 Fishing gears holding per fisherman
N
* r Mean
Minimum
Maximum
Hook & line (Aljebad)
- ; eu>
)                     3.04
1
20
trap (Amershi)
‘ ■ 'T!
38
fa                       —J 1.71
1
5
Gill net (Shebega)
20
1.50
1
3
Boat
___  ________ J
1 GO
1
1
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Dabus irrigation Design and Study rnyjci_____________________ Fi&hery Development SludyfWReport Table 4.13. Fishing gears combinations used by fishers in (he surveyed kebeles
---------------- | Frequency
1
Valid pRrcent
--- ——— ------------------
Cumulative
Percent
Hook & line (Al ebadj
1
23
23
Gillnct Shebega
2
45
6.0
Trao (A mer $ hi/ Ko ns he]
9
20.5
27.3
Gillnet and Hook & line
2
4.5
31.3
Hook & line and Trap (Amershty
!
J.' i3
29.5
61.4
Hook & line, Gillnel and Trap (Ame^s^llJ,
9
20 5
81.0
Gill nel and Trap ((AmershifKonshe)
7
159
97 7
Fishinq Boat
1
2.3
100 0
Total
44
100.0
In general, improvedfmodern fishing gears such as gtllnels and long lines were introduced in different weredas  bul In small quantity. They  do not have the chance to get such fishing gears  and other necessary  equipment. There is  also lack  of some technical skills  and the essential gears for catching fish. Thus, there is a need for a stronger extension effort with provision of technical and material assistance. Fishers'  cooperatives  should also be organized and further strengthened and supported to avail the gears suitable to the area.
4.4.5 Fish Handling and Preservation
Principally, fish processing can be subdivided into two categories: fish handling (the initial processing of raw fish) and fish products manufacturing Aspects of fish processing occur on fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, and at fish processing plants, Another natural subdivision is  into primary  processing involved in the filleting and freezing of fresh fish for onward distribution to fresh fish retail andi'eatering outlets, and the secondary  processing that produces chilled, frozen and canned products for the retail and catering trades
However, the fish handling and processing systems  are in their rudimentary  stage in the project area. The fish handling system in the region is  traditional and unhygienic  After the catch (from most ol the water bodies) the fishermen have to walk by average for 1 hour and 20 minutes  io the nearest village market, carrying fish in sacks  on the back  of donkey  as there is no road access to the river side. Considering m to account the lime needed until the fish is ready for cook in the hands of the consumer, the fish slays for a longer time without any means of preservation in the hot climate of the project area Moreover, the landing sites are mostly  isofated due to absence of roads  At this  condition post-harvest losses  of fish occur during the numerous  steps  from catch to market (Table 4,14). Here only  fishermen within lhe shortest distance to the market fetch fish fresh while (hose al distant places bear post-harvest losses.
The storage life of fresh fish depends mainly on the environmental temperature, the size of lhe fish, the catching methods used and time of catch. Smaller fishes spoil fast within half a day. while large fishes  can stay  up to one day  keeping other parameters  constant. This storage life can be prolonged by using ice tbm'etl lately and keeping in ice prolongs lhe shelf
life by 6 to 12 times and 7 to 21 limes'ff?r "small and iarge fish, respectively (FAO. 1989) Most of the marketed fishes in 1he project area are small with a considerable proportion of
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January, 2016Ministry of Waler, irrigation and Electricity 
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Pabus  irrigation Design and Study  Project Fishery  Development StudyReport
’arge fishes (more than a kilogram) and it has a day shelf life Fish grading is done based only on size and fish species. The preferred species and larger sized fish cost more.
Fish preservation is almost unknown in the project area as the farmers fetch fish to the market fresh, cn the day of catch. However, some 39 per cent of the landing spoils before marketed (Table 4 14) As the result, some fishers interviewed were practiced holding the catch in the container filled with water to preserve over night until marketing in the next day. Some species like cat fish even survive and keep better than others In the fresh stale after landing as they are facultative breathers. Though insignificant, some of the fishers preserve fish to prolong the shelf life. In the project area some 44 and 26 percent of the respondents sometimes practice either sailing or a combinatron of salting and drying, respectively while some 2f per cent use the method ofsaltirt^cff'do not use preservation methods at all (Table 4 15). Moreover, some smoke-dried small fishes were also observed in Koncho Town.
Sun drying is common in all parts of the region. Preparation of fish for drying is slightly different from place to place Fish is filleted, cut into large strips and hung up to dr/ on strings for three or four days. Due to high atmospheric humidity in the region, the dried fish become moist and exposed for insect infestation The major constraints of dried fish are easily infested by insects and produce bad smell due to the oxidation of fats that is not appeal to consumers (ESAP, 2007).
i. j.
According to ESAP (2007), the so-called Nigerians or Felalas settled along Dabus River (It is believed they came from Nigeria), are highly skilled on fishing and fish handling techniques. The supply of fresh fish to the Bambasi town Is increased after they settled in Bambasi Wereda This group also used salt for fish preservation. They mix salt and whole fish in the polypropylene sack and stir it to make fair distribution of salt on fish.
Table 4.14: Frequency of spoilage before marketing
Frequency
.. , Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative Percent
Yes
■iWc* 34.1
38.5
38.5
Valid
No
24
;     . 54.5
61 5
100 0
Total
39
B0.6
100.0
Missing
System
6
11.4
Total
44
100.0
i-----------
Table 4.15: Methods of preservation
preservation Methods
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative Percent
Salting
17
20.2
43 6
43,6
Drying
1
1.2
2.6
46 2
Valid
I__________
non
3
3.6
7.7
53.a i
Salting & Drying
10
11.9
25 6
79 5'
Salting & non
8
9.5
20.5
100.0 I
T otal
39
46.4
100.0
I
4.4.6 Fish Utilization Patterns
Riverine fisheries activity in the project area is exclusively traditional, moderately seasonal in some water bodies and mostly restricted tp -ldrie> months of the year. Any type of fish either
1
scaled or not Is consumed especially nyOBertha ethnic group However there are no
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January. 2016Ministry of Water, lrrigai’on art! Electricity 
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□sbus Irrigation Design and Study Protect____________ _________________ Fisliery Development Study.^/'^ >Ftepor1
communities  whose livelihoods  entirely  depend on the fishery  of lhe rivers  in the project command area Fishing is  all in all artisanal in the study  area and its  purpose is  limited to meet subsistence needs  of fishing communities  in the form of food and an additional source of household income by  local people (Berthas) The current survey  indicated that almost all indigenous  people from 12 Kebeles  of Assosa, Bambasi, Menge and Oda Bildtglu weredas consumed fish According to Esa Mussa, Dabus  Kebete Chairman, out of 120 households  in (he kebete, alt consume fish either purchased or self-fished while only  about 30 per cent of the inhabitants are engaged in fishing activities
According to the respondents of this survey, fishing in the Dabus River is mainly year round (48%) while some 18% are fishing during the months of June to September though lhe catch is lower and not beyond the household consumption. In the surveyed kebeles, it is normal for a household engaged in fishing to fish al le^st twice in a week and catch on lhe average up to 18 fishes  (about 5.4 kg) per fishing dayg depending on the season, place of fishing and fishing gears used Out of (he total catch per fishing day, about 40 per cent is consumed per household while the balance is  marketed (Table 4 16) Thus, lhe average fish consumption per household per fishing day accounts for about 7 fishes with an average weight of 300 g Assuming 6 months of active fishing in a year and an average household size of 4,5, the per capita consumption will be 24 kg per annum, which agrees  with (he estimation of 22 kg (MoA, 2007) fish per annum pei head Compiling this  with the regional average of 4 kg per capita indicates  that lhe households  inhabiting the shorelines  are consuming protein rich diets  as  compared with regional and country, level figures. Moreover, relating this  to lhe per capita fish consumption of neighboring East African countries  such as  Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti where the fish consumption reached to the level of 35.7, 14.3, 4.4, 1.6 and 3.3 kilo grams  respectively  (Aytegeb Anteneh Chekol. 2013), lhe communities inhabiting the shorelines  of Dabus  and other potential perennial rivers  consume much higher fish nexl to Uganda This  showed that the culture of the people to consume fish is  by  far higher than elsewhere in the region and country at large.
With respect to lhe purpose of fishing some 91 per cent of the respondents  are fishing for bath home consumption and marketing (Table 4.17) The fish utilization vanes  depending on the ethnic  groups. Fish is  highly  consumed-by'the native people specifically  Berta in the project area, either through self-fishing 'or'purchased. On the other hand, the urban dwellers that are composed of different ethnic  groups  do not have the access  for fish consumption due mainly to supply shortage
Table 4.16; Number oi fish consumption per fishing day
Survey kebeles
N
Mean
Minimum
Maximum
% of Total N
Belanjera
3
2.33
1
3
10 0%
Belfiidi
1
3.00
3
3
3.3%
Dabus
2
4 00
4
4
6.7%
Dabus Atirnbaqo
2
10 00
5
15
6.7%
Eda dabus
2
L 15100
10
20
6 7%
Fudindu
6
6 13
i5
B
26.7%
Gambela Dale
2
6.00 2
10
67%
Mugufude
4
12.18*                         4
20
13 3%
Shage Debazin
6
6.17[                          2
16
20 0%
Total
30
7.16                           1
20
100.0%
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January, 2016Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity Dabus irrigation Design and Study Project Table 4 17: Purpose of fishing
k‘"
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Stud/frj1 Heport
Frequency
Percent         Valid Percent
Cumulative Percent
Home consumption
Marketing
For both
Total
3
1
40
-14
60’                         6 8
6.8
Valid
2 3                          2.3
91
90.9                        90.9
100 0
100.0                      100.0
All types of fish and all its parts except the gut and scales are consumed (Table 4.18) However, the majority of the consumers (67 %) tend to prefer tilapia while cat fish, Mormyrus and Labio are among the less preferred species.
Table 4 18 Species preference of the consumers
Fish species                                 Frequency
Tilapia iBultti)
26
Percent 31.0
Catfish (Aqoroto)
5
6.0
l#    J
,   Barbus (Yegudefude)
t-. '                 1
1.2
3
36
Mormyrus (Agolindo/Ashebelbenat)
4
48
| Total
39
46 4
Valid              Cumulative Percent               Percent
66 7                        66.7 12.8                        79.5
2.6                        02.3. 7.7                         09.7
10.3                       100.0
100.0
Fresh fish are consumed in the localrty and village markets in project area. Though varying from place to place, much of the landed fish is marketed fresh usually on the day of landing. However, if the fish is to be sold the next day. then it Is gutted to reduce spoilage. Fish Is also consumed in form of sauce (Key Wot. Amharic), fried and dried form during lhe market days (Figure A17 and A18) According to the current study, fishermen inhabiting the project areas of Eda Dabus and Mugufude consume lhe highest fish per fishing days while the consumption is around the average in Dabus Alimbaqo. Gambela Dale and Shaga Demazin kebeles. The lowest fish consumers inhabit in Belanjero Kebele presumably due to their location and fishing in Durbaze River, which has low fishery potential.
Table 4.19: proportion of fish consumption and marketing per fishing days
I------
Survey kebeles
Fish consumption per fishing day
Fish marketing per fishing day
Mean
Maximum
Minimum
Mean
Maximum
Minimum
Belanjero
2.25
3
1
6,75
10
2
Beifudi
-
r+
■' '1
9.17
15
3
Dabus
4
■ ■■■■■<
.?                    4
17.5
20
15
Dabus Atimbaqc
5
5
s
10
10
10
Eda dabus
15
20
10
3
3
3
Fudrndu
6 13
e
5
12 63
15
10
Gambela Dale
5
5
5
5
5
5
Mugufude
13 6
20
7
1225
18
6
Shage Oebazin
4.33
6
2
10.17
18
4
Total
6.83
20
1
10.47
20
2
As can be seen from the above description, inhabitants around the shoreline are consuming highest fish per annum while those far away from potential nvers either do not consume fish or purchase from the nearby village markets. Based on this out of the 39 respondents on fish consumphon. about 44 per cent eat once every other days while 39 per cent eat only once per week (Table 4 20),
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January, 2016Mm 1*1 ry o! Water, Irrigalion and Electricity Uabub Irrigalion Design and Study Pro-.1 Table 4 20. Frequency of fish eating par week
Volume IV - Pad X
-             ______ Fishery Development Study J Report
Fish eating days per
week
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulalivc Percent
1 day
15
179
36.5
36.5
2 days
17
20 2
43.6
82.1
Valid
3 days
6
7.1
15.4
974
4 days
1
1.2
2.6
10D O’l
Total
39
464
*;-----------------
100.0
i
4.4.7 Fish Marketing and Market Outlets
In spite of the huge resource base, fishery  has  not been well developed in the region Fishing and Fish consumption is practiced by Gumuz and Berta ethnic groups residing along the shore lines of major rivers. Fish is caught mainly for household consumption and catch in excess  of home consumption is  marketed within local people in the nearby  towns  and villages Fishing is active during the dry seasons and reduces during the major rainy season (June to October) when the river level becomes high and fishing become very difficult.
Although fishing is predominantly meant forhousehold consumption, Il is common to see fish in local markets mostly two times in a week in the project area As indicated in Table 4.21,
lhe  aggregate  average  number  of  fish  marketed  in  the  project  area  accounts  for  about  11
ranging from 2 to 20 pieces. In spite of the scarcity  of fish supply  to the markets, the fish products  available in such markets  ate fresh, though some unhygienic  fish supply  was observed in the village markets  Fresh fish is  retailed at village and landing sites  directly  to consumers  (mainly  farmers). Marketing of fish in gutted or prepared form Is  very  rare, Sun dried Fish prepared in most rudimentary  fashion, traditionally  and at low input cost The far distance lhe fish products  have to be transported coupled with the lack  of basic  knowledge of preserving and processing fish has  made products  in some local market to be of poor quality and unhygienic.
Table 4.21 Number of fishes marketed per fishing days per fisherman
Name of lhe market
N
Mean
Minimum
Maximum
% of Toial Sum
% of Total N
Belanjero
3
6.33
2
10
5.9%
10.0%
Belfudi
5
1040
5
15
16 2%
16.7%
Dabus
2
17 SO
15
20
10.9%
6 7%
Dabus Atimbaqo
2
1000
10
10
6.2%
6.7% (
Eda dabus
1
3.00
1      '-t-K 3
3
0.9%
3.3%
Fudlndu
8
13.13
10
15
32 7%
26 7%
Gambela Date
1
5.00
5
5
1.6%
3.3%
Mugufude
3
13.00
5
18
12.1%
10.0%
Shage Debazin
5
8.60
4
15
13 4%
167%
Total
30
10.70
2
20
100.0%
100.0%
lhe average distance of the fish market ranges  from about 3 minutes  In Shaga Demazi Kebele to 40 minutes  in Eda Dabus  Kebele while the aggregate average distance of the market is about 12 minutes walkway. On the other hand, the average distance of the market from landing site is at about 45 minutes distance ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hour and 25 minutes  (Table 4.22). These results  indicate that almost all fishermen were settled around the landing sites  and In the close proximity  to lhe village markets  with an average fishing expenence of about 5 years (Table A6)
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Table 4 22. Mean distance of the market from home and landing site (Minute)
Name of the _________Distance of market from  ome I Distance of market from landing site
b
market                Mean       Minimum
Maximum           Mean
Maximum
Belan ero                            4.25                    2.00
10.00
180.00
Belfudi                               23,86                   3 00
135 00
6C.00
Minimum
120.00
60.00
60.00
□abus timbaqo              2.00
2 00
60 nc
2.00
30.00j
30 00
Eda Dabus                       40.00
40.00
40.00
Fudirdu                             15.00
15 00
30.00
15 00
15.0Q
Gambela Dale? 10.67
Mugufude 13.50
2.00
15.00
15.00
15 00
1500
25 00
30.00
7 00
20.CO
15.00
15.00
28 33
25.00
20.00
30 00
Shaga Demazin                  2,75
1 00
5.00                    3.00
Zumba 5.50
Total 12.13
5 00
1.00
3.00
6 00
50.00
103 25                23.00 45.08                    3.00
10 00
150.00
180.00
Despite the abundant fish resources  in the surveyed areas, fish products  in any  form are very rarely found in targe market places, hotels and restaurants. In the major towns on the way to Mendi, Arjo, Gimbi to Nekemt fish is unusual to see in the restaurants due mainly to supply shortage.
Assosa is  the capital city  of Benshangul Gumuz  Region with well-developed infrastructure, hotels and small restaurants and civjlized^gjhzens In the region with large water bodies and huge fishery potential, it is very surprising (hat fish is not consumed in the capital town and impossible to find a single restaurant preparing a meal containing fish However, farmers settling around the rivers used to consume fish at household either self-fished or purchased. Only one restaurant (Bambu Paradise Hotel) is used to transport fish from Addis Ababa on demand basis using own vehicle equipped with refrigerator According to Ato Mulugeta Nuri (personal communication) from administration section, a kg filleted tilapia is  purchased for Bin- 78 and a cottelet meal is sold for ETB 70 while the gutted whole fish is purchased for Birr 55 from Addis Ababa,
Bambasi has relatively one of the most developed markets for fish. Fish is brought to the market only on Wednesdays and Saturdays where the anglers of Bertha ethnic group carry their catch in the fertilizer sack  on shoulders. Here fresh fish is  marketed mainly  for consumers and restaurants delivering meal made of fish. At the lime of the survey, only one Muslim restaurant is  preparing fried fish for consumers  on the market days. Mohammed Buserab the single Muslim restaurant owner in Bambasi Town buys  whole fish from the market, fry it after gutting to be sold to consumers on Saturdays. Sundays and Wednesdays and sales a meal with slices of bread for ETB 22. The market for fish in the town is always active but the supply  is  limited to market days  only  Some retailers  buy  fish from landing
srles and transport il to Assosa. <
.<5n V i • th?
According to fishermen in the Bambasi Market, fishing is  practiced year round on Dabus River but marketed only  on Saturdays  and Wednesdays  Each fisher fetches  about 5-10 fishes weighing 2.5 -12 kg to the Bambasi market two times a week (Figure A14 and 19). Fishing is  pracliced at ihe periphery  of the rivers  as  ihe anglers  possess  primitive technologies  (locally  made traps) that make catching larger fish almost impossible They could have fetched fish ever; day if they had owned modern fishing gears and boats Here, the average distance of landing site from the market is about 6 km.
Fishers do not market their catch in some kebeles like Eda Dabus as the quantity per catch is fewer. The dwellers in Eda Dabus Kebele purchase fish from fishermen coming from Oda
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Bildiglu Wereda, Zumba Kebele. They  cross  the river with bools  and market fish in Dabus Alirr.baqo market The fishermen in Belfudi kebele had a repulsion to sale a wel fish for ETB 400 from a single catch and indicating howi profitable the business  is  As  such fish, mostly Ciarias  garipinus. is  large and costs  are Unbearable, it is  usually  shared among 3 to 4 consumers.
Generally, the fish markets  in the study  areas  are characterized by  very  high demand and low supply. This  prevailing situation in the market compelled the consumers  with less bargaining power and forced to accept the price set by  the producers  In lhe urban market where fish is  rarely  supplied, the sellers  (producers) 1st set the price and negotiate with customers  until agreement reached between them. This price is expected to benefit more of the producers  than the customers  because of low supply  and high demand for lhe product. As the result prices are relatively high in the project area, for example half a kg wet barbus was sold for Birr 60 in Dabus Atimbaqo market while a cal fish weighing 8 kg sold for Birr 280 in Bambsi market Data obtained from consumers  indicate that a large fresh tilapia and cal fish are purchased for Birr 50 and 88, respectively  while the smaller ones  of lhe same cost about Birr 15 (usually bundled 3 in one) and 30, respectively (Table 4.23). Mormyrus is loo small to be sold and usually does not appear in the markets.
The price of fish depends on species and size of lhe hsh Proximity and access are the most limiting factors  in the pricing and market choices  for perishable fish products  Many  rural producers  have no access  to the exisimg^market of urban consumers  due lo limited and inadequate road transport infrastructure. All fishers  in lhe project area used wooden slicks, donkeys  and human head for transporting fish to their nearby  market areas. Therefore, fish products are wasted in the field and producers are forced to sell the fish to local consumers at lowest price.
Table 4.23: Average prices of wet fish in different markets
T
Survey kebetes
Tilapia (large)
J
Tilapia
(small)
Barbus
(large)
Barbus
(small)
Catfish
(large)
Catfish
(small)
Labeo
(large)
Labeo
(small)
Worm
yrus
(large)
Worm
ywta
(snw
Bclanjero
67.50
19 25
125.00
43 75
172 50
130 00
35 00
woo
Belfudi
47 86
14 29
ioz.ee
17.57
146 00
49 00
115 00
55 00
60.00
21
Dabus Atirnbaqo
116.67
16.67
166.67
40.00
333.33
46.67
-
-
15.00
10 0C
Eda Dabus
20 00
10 00
20.00
WOO
25 00
15 00
25 00
1Q.C0
2.00
Fudindu
8 57
4.29
35.00
20.00
35.00
17.14
25 00
woo
2 50
Gambeladale
150.33
40.00
105 33
38 33
176 67
55.00
-
•
-
Mugufude
-
-
150.00
> ,35.00
150 00
75.00
-
-
22.50
1l
Shaga Pemazin
12 50
0.67
562.5
^Jn?7.50
55 00
27.50
•
-
10.57
5,5"
Zumba____________
45.00
23.75
85.00
40.00
133.75
48.75
23.33
11 67
50 00
Average
4974
14.91
80 32
29.29
121 49
40 59
44.50
19.50
11.35
Thus, given She possibilities  of developed infrastructure and adequate facilities  for processing, handling and transportation, the locals  of these areas  can benefit from these resources by selling fish products to towns where there is a higher fish demand and a better purchasing power Therefore, due attention should be given by  Bureaus  of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Non-Governmental
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Volume IV - Pari X Fishery Develcprnenl Sludy^/^ Report
Organizations operating in the areas to develop the infrastructure of the areas and to give training and extension ser/ice to encourage fishery development in the region.
4,4.8 Fishery Development Endeavors in the Project Area
.-i-V
4.4,8.1          Efforts Made to Establish,Fish.Producers Groups
Currently there is neither fishery cooperative nor fish trader in the region. There was one fishermen's  cooperative under the name 'Dabus  Fishers  Cooperative" established by Nigerians in Bambasi Wereda but dissolved later on, However, cooperative formation is on a way as many fish producer's grouDS are emerging in Bambasi, Oda Bildiglu, Mao-Komo and Sirba Abay (Tsedal Wereda)
The fishermen engaged on Dabus River and some of its tributaries are of two categories; the emerging fish producer groups  that are supported by  the Bureau of Agriculture and the individual or independent anglers. Members of the fishing community originate from mainly Berta ethnic group with majority being illiterate.
Dugna Fabush Cooperative
Currently, lhere is only one fisher’s cooperative to be licensed soon in the project area, in Boqa Denbi Kebele of Oda Bildiglu Wereda with 51 members  congregated around an Irrigation project of about 104 hectares The team owned a generator to pump waler from the Boqa River to irrigate their horticultuyalj^ejcls^Here fishing is practiced on Boqa River using hooks and a basket trap known as “Amerrnaze* (Figure A13 and 20) and used to cover fuel costs through the sale of fish in the fish marketing shop established around the kebele. They built a barrage on the river to direct the fish to the ramp like structure so that lhe Irap is placed on it and capture the fish that are milling about trying to pass the barrier during the night time The trap (Amerrnaze) is  placed on a diverted channel overnight and fish is collected in the mornings (Figure A20). Here cm the average about 50 kg fish is Goughl per day The main landing site is on about 30 minutes' walk distance and inaccessible.
The demand for fish is very high that the-members and other kebele residents stand in a queue to purchase fish from the fish shop. Efforts are underway to establish a cooperative and make them licensed fishing group.
Fishers Groups
Apart from the above mentioned emerging single cooperative, there are 9 fishers’ groups in the project area. In Bambasi Wereda, there are 3 landing sites  al Dabus  River, namely Dabus (Figure A6), Mutsamado and Womba kebeles each. Dabus fisher's group established in 2006 has 10 members and possesses 50- hooks, a wooden boot and has bylaw The Mulsa fisher's group is another pioneejlpijc^ssociation established in 2006 and has forming members  of 8 fishermen. It has  a gill ner of 20 m by  2m and a wooden boat is being constructed. They all did not receive training and lhe extension assistance is negligible.
Fishing is commonly practiced in Assosa Wereda, Mugufude and Dabus Atimbaqo kebeles. There is one recently established fishers group in Dabus Atimbaqo kebele with a total of 13 male and 3 female members. However, there are quite a number of farmers engaged in
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fishing  activities  from  Dabus  and  Tumel  rivers.  "They  supply  fish  to  Dabus  Alimbaqo  village every Mondays and Thursdays.
All kebeles  of Oda Bildiglu Wereda in the project area have fishery  resources  with incarnating activities  In Belfuai kebele there are 2 fishers  groups  with 7 and 6 members each The former has a wooden fishing bool, diTerent sizes of hook and lines and 6 gillnets with long years experience in Fishing while the later has a reputation lo sale one fish for ETB 400. All are using a trap known as “AmerS^and have a good experience in fishing.
Table 4.24: Profile of fishers groups in the project area
S/N
Name of
fishers group
Members
Address
___
|
M
r
Total
Woreda
Kebele
Year
Established
Capital (asset)
1
Dabus
10
-
W
Bambasi
Dabus
7.006
50 hooks
2
Muis a
8
-
8
Bambasi
Mu Isa
2006
1 gillnel
3
Amba
-
-
Bambasi
Amba
4
-
13
3
16
Assosa
Atimbako
2007
Cori she
5
-
4
3
7
Oda
Bolfudi
6 GHInet, boat
6
-
7
-
7
Oda
Helfudi
Amershi
7
-
6
-
6
Oda
Gumfi Araba
18 mem
a
-
6
-
6
Oda
Gurrifi Araba
18 mem
9
-
-
-
Oda
Faduni
10
Dugna Fabush
45
6
51
Oda
EJoqa Denbi
2007
Fish shoo 15 hock
3
Water Warks Design arid Supervision Enterprise
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January, 2UWMjrwtry or Watera Irrigaton and ElecVicrty 
□mu* Irrigation Dfi-fiign and Study Project
Distribution of Landing Sites and Fish Ponds in Assosa Zone
VoHime IV - Pan X Fishery Deve^ocment Study /^yfieport
Map 4.4: Geographic distribution of some landing sites and fisn ponds in the project area
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January, 2515Minislty ol Waler. Irrigalion and Electricity 
Volume IV - Part X
Da bus Irrigation Det i'gn and Study Proicct______________  ___________  F is her? Development Slutiy/yffg/RepDil
Furthermore. Belfudi, Shaga Demazin, Gambela Dale and Belanjero kebeles are welt known in fish resource base and fishing practices among kebeles in Oda Bildiglu Wercda In Belfudi kebele there is  one newly  established fishers  group with 7 members  {4 male. 3 female) They have a reputation of catching 30 Fishes every day using the trap known as "Amershi' and sale the catch In the market days of Thursdays and Sundays.
4.4.8,2  Pioneering Activities of Fish Farming
Fish farming is completely a new idea in the region as it is at country level at large However,
there are pioneering endeavors that needs to be supported to launch al its full development
In the project areas of Assosa and Bambasi weredas, although not coordinated and
consulted, there are efforts to establish fish farming There is also a great intension to
organize fishers in to fish producers groups and finally merge them to form fisheries 
cooperatives in potential areas. A brief overview of each fish farm has been presented as 
under.
Fish Ponds at Abrehamo Kebele
In Abrehamo Kebele, two fish ponds  of size 5m X 4m X2 were dug by  organized youth groups  and slocked wilh catfish fingerlings  obtained from ATVET  Collage and assigned an attendant to feed mornings  and afternoons  The ponds  are integrated wilh irrigation scheme where water is  pumped using generator to irrigate vegetable farms. The team also planted 11,000 bamboo and 150 orange seedlings. The generator has been used to irrigate the farm lands  and replenish the fish pond though currently  requires  maintenance. The fishers  group had also other challenges where the kingfishers predate fingerlings right from the beginning, Moreover, they had no trainings in fishery.aifid neither have consulted the zonal and regional subject matter specialists  how to go aboukwith fish production especially  fish farming Apart from these, the location of the ponds  is  'some 20 km away  from the town Assosa and inaccessible by car.
Integrated Fish Farm at Dabus Kebele
As of the other regions of the country, investment in fisheries and aquaculture is insignificant and even at its  infant stage in Benshangul Gumuz  Region. The only  integrated investment was  started iri Bambasi Wereda around Dabus  River. The private investor received 20 ha (out of which 4 ha is  for pond) of land for an integrated fish farming with a capital of 1.5 million ETB m 2001 E.C However, the farm encompassing a fish pond has  been silted up and abounded due to reasons other than profitability and marketing issues.
Prior to the eslablishmenl of lhe biggest pond, the investor constructed a starting pond with size of 40 m by 16 m. The pond has slocked with catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from Dabus River. However, there is no proper follow up and management due to lack of knowhow on fish farming. There was no technical support from the concerned regional institutions to be given for the investor (MoA, 2011).
Fish Ponds of Afasism Kebele .5
' A H'jjr.Wltl ■ .
An integrated fish vegetable farm was established by an entrepreneur on about 3 ha in Afasism Kebeie. Two ponds of size 10 X 6 X1.5 each were dug a! around the vegetable garden with pond structures such as water in late and out tale. However, the fish were looted
“WaterWorks Design and                                                            55 Supervision Enterprise
January, fo 16Ministry of Water, 'nig alien and Electricity 
Dabus Irrigation Design and Sludy Project
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Sludy^rt*/ Report
overnight and the investor moved some to the pond dug in town Assosa. around his own residence.
Golda Fish Pond at Bildiglu Gcmbeshre Kebele
Relatively  larger two ponds  were dug in association to Goida irrigation Project with net irrigable area of 107 ha The two ponds differ in sizes in that one has a size of 15 X 15 X 1,75 meters  (Figure A21) while the second one measures  about IS X B X 1 75 meters (Figure A22). The ponds are well constructed'with structures such as in let. out let, overflow and crib except that the outlet is not in«itsf correct position lo dram water. Moreover, though the ponds were constructed for farmers in the kebele, the management function was not decided
Ver/ surprisingly, the pond was slocked with fingerlings collected from Dabus River the next day  the survey  team had visited the pond. This  indicates  that the endeavors  are not coordinated and consulted with zonal and regional livestock  experts  The act of filling the pond with water and slocking on the same day is impossible and a futile effort.
Fish Pond at ETVET Collage
There is  only  one fish pond in lhe collage mainly  for demonstration purposes  and being under maintenance at the time of the survey  (Figure A23). According to Ato Tsehaye Adame, the vice dean of the collage, there is a plan to construct additional fish ponds and stock  with common carp or tilapia. The pond was  once stacked with tilapia fingerlings collected from Dabus River and later on, catfish fingerlings were added to the pond After certain periods  of time all tilapia species  were disappeared and only  catfish survived presumably due to the opportunistic feeding behavior of cat fish. The artificial pond uses pipeline water to replenish water every Urtfajs'^nd has standard design with dimensions of 10 by 6 meters and structural components sill trap, in let and out let
*iis
According to Dereje Delena, Head of Animal Science Department, the growth rale of catfish was retarded due to problems associated with concrete pond Catfish is benthic dweller and opportunistic feeder and this condition is missing under the pond in the collage.
Fish Farm at Dembi 02 Kebele
The farmer has one fish pond at around Yaka River in Bambasi Wereda, Dembi 02 Kebele and slocked with catfish. He is curious and shows relentless efforts to maximize income from an integrated farm He has  some plots  of land established with banana (6 7 ha), coffee, pineapple, orange, avocado, apiary (59 local hives) and a fish pond by abstracting irrigation water from Yaka River
Initially, the fish pond of size 9X6 meter was dug for the purpose of irrigation water storage using rain water and later on. having consultations, he stocked with 6 mature cat fish caught by hook from Dabus River, however all were found dead. Later on 4 mature cat fish caught by mosquito net were introduced from Dabus River and survived so far He used to feed lhe fish with coffee husk  and poultry  drop pings... however, the pond is  missing some basic structures such as in let and oul let ^s ip^a^ug for water storage (Figure A24).
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January. 2016Ministry of Water, Irrigation and EilectrIcity 
Volume IV - Pari X
Dabus irrigtnion Design and Study Project _________________ Hshcry Development Study^'/fm* Report Table 4.25' Small scale fish pends in the command area
—[
SfN
Location
Ownership
Number
Size
Wereda
Kebele
-- -- ,
Status
1
Al Hay's farm
Assosa
Afasizm
2
10X6
abandoned
2
Golda IP
Asscsa
Gembcshre
2
14x14 & 14x7
stocked
3
Farmers
Assosa
Alasizm
1
not starlet!
4
Youths
Assosa
Abrenamo
2
4X5X2
stocked
5
ATVFT coll
Assosa
1
10X6
Under reco.
6
Tesfaye's
Bambasi
Dabus
- a;
1
abandoned
7
Bambasi
Dem|>iD2^
1
9x6
active
Endris Abdu
!
IP = Irrigation Project
Generally, though these fishers  groups  can be taken as  important groups  in the future development of fishery in the project area, all are not working with their full capacity and their major constraints are highlighted below.
•     Foi the existed fishers groups, fishing are not a full time job They have no regular fishing  and  auditing  practice.  The  marketing  activity  is  done  initially  in  primary markets near the landing sites and in rare cases they sale fish at towns.
•     Some fishers groups have serious market problems in relation to poor transportation facilities. In addition to this lack of fishing gears at local market hindered them from harvesting sufficient quantity Only few groups have few numbers of improved fishing gears,  which  are  not  proportional  to  the  abundant  fish  resources  Due  to  scarcity  of fishing   gears   locally,   they   cannot   replace   or   mciease   their   gears   and   catch sufficiently,
•    All groups do not have trend of record keeping of daily fish harvest or any periodical pattern but only the value of the hajvjest. They sale fish in number and do not use
weighing balances.
t
•     All  members  are  not  active  participants,  engaged  in fishing  as  a  part  lime  job  and lack appropriate skills and equipment. The purpose of their fishing is to supply and sell fresh fish to their proximate market as a source of additional income Io support their families.
4.5 Attitude of the Community towards the Project
Discussion were held with community  members  from the project impact kebeles  and stakeholders  at Regional, Zonal, Wereda and Kebele level were consulted to make understand the project objectives  and assess  the iocal people's  attitudes  towards  the upcoming irrigation project. Almost all of the participants  in the community  and stakeholder consultations have shown a positive attitude on the envisaged irrigation project.
With respect to fishery  development almost all respondents  of the community  consultation participants responded positively far the question "If you are given the chance, do you inter into fish venture'7" The communities  have also showed very  high interest to be acquainted with modern techniques of fish production. .(Most of the respondents are willing to cooperate
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in any  measures  that would lead to sustainable utilization of the fish resources  They  are very  sympathetic  to the irrigation project in general and fishery  development study  in particular, which could be the second option to the gold mining if they are trained supplied with modern fishing technologies, infrastructure development, telecommunication, etc  They also expressed a big opportunity  Io come to exploit the rampant fish resources  in form of capture fishery and aquaculture with construction of irrigation schemes in the project area
Furthermore, the consultations  with local authorities  and professional groups  made at each wereda and kebelo offices indicates that they are very eager to see the implementation of the proposed project. They expressed their opinion in such a way that the implementation of the project would provide multiple advantages  such as  change of working habit, provides infrastructures  like waler supply, education, roads, health etc  It would also play  important role in promoling the image of the region and will conlribule for the development of tourism. For this  and olher socio-economic  reasons’.'1 tHe consulted individuals, professionals  and authorities promised to cooperate in all aspects of the project work as much as they can.
However,  consul  led  communities  have  raised  their  fears,  doubls.  expectations  and  risks, which could impede the normal development of the project. These include
1)   Displacement  of  farmers  from  their  yearlong  cropping  and  grazing  grounds  due  to irrigation system development,
2) The question of compensation for lost houses, perennial vegetation, farm lands, trees,
house  and  other  belongings,  and  strongly  emphasized  to  resolve  this  question  if  the project is to be implemented without resentment,
3)  Security  issues need  to be considered as the project  area is in close proximity to the border between Sudan,
4)  The shortage and sometimes in availability of fish stock and fishing gears supply need actions to avail from reliable sources,
IT
5) Shortage of qualified manpower in the areas of fishery and aquaculture development thus,
short and long term training should
due attention.
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s. fishery development potential in the project area
The region has  enormous  fisheries  and aquaculture investment opportunities  Dams  built for irrigation and other purposes  can directly  be used for fish production. The temperature of most parts  of the Benshangul Gumuz  Region is  warmer which is  very  conducive to produce Nile tilapia and other tropical fishes. The other opportunity  is  the establishment of the renaissance dam where a number of cages  can be fixed and capture fisheries  can be practiced.
The project area is  endowed with large perennial rivers  cressing the region Moreover, the completion and impoundment of the reservoir and canal systems  offer excellent potentials for inland water capture and culture fisheries if properly managed
However, fish production in the project area is  back  warded and uses  Iradilional tools  which are inefficient and laborious  As  a result, the impact or benefit expected, from such potentials and opportunities  are minimal or not experienced at all. There seems  to be a lack  of emphasis  on innovative ideas  like integrated'"fish farming, pen and cage culture and other income-generating opportunities  to attract fishermen out of the artisanal fisheries, fish habitat improvement and aggregating devices  at the pre-harvesl level and improved primary handling of fish like salting and drying, icing, chilling and freezing, and secondary  processing of high value and value-added products like fish canning at the post-harvest level.
Many  of these activities  can be designed on a group (arming basis. With advanced planning and careful implementation, it is  conceivable that many  of the settlement villages  along the Dabus  River, canal systems  and reservoir can be organized as  fish production units. Even though these villagers  have limited access  to or little or no command over the available resources, they  can be mobilized and organized if provided with the necessary  training and government assistance
The  major  fishery  development  potentials  and  opportunities  identified  in  the  project  area include:
•        The   availability   of   large   water   bodies   and   untapped   fish   stocks,   which   are   of commercial importance,
•       An  aggressive  settlement  programe  underway  since  2003  E.C.  in  the  region  and project  area  where  the  local  corffrfi  Unit  res,  mainly  the  Gumuz  and  Bertha  ethnic groups, favor the development of1 capture fisheries and fish farming.
■  Availability  of  reasonable  amount  of  agro-industrial  by-products,  which  includes  by products  of  oil  extraction  and  flour  mill  from  medium-scale  industries  which  could  be used as food for fish farming,
•        Existing  and  growing  demand  for  fish  and  fish  products  at  national,  regional  and export market in the nearby countries,
•       The Gumuz and Bertha people in the region and project area have strong tradition of fishing  and  use  fish  in  their  daily  diets.  Hence,  fishery  is  an  aiternalive  source  of household  cash  income  for  fishery,-operators  and  contributes  to  food  self-sufficiency and food security.
•       Comparative  advantage  of  fish  as  cheap  and  nutritious  food  as  alternative  source  of food during food deficit seasons lor rural people
•        Fishery  helps  alleviate  poverty  and  gives  employment  opportunity  and  economic growth for private sector including hotels and restaurants.
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* t Oi r1.Ministry of Waler, Irrigation and Electricity Dabus Irrigation DftsignjndSUfdy Project L >
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Volume iV - Part X Fishery Development Sludy/;^/ Report
6.  CONSTRAINTS TO FISHERY DEVELOPMENT
Despite the above mentioned opportunities  for sub-sector development in the region, multiple constraints  are hampering the fishery  development in the project area Lack  of fishing gears, poor transportation network  and lack  of extension support are the major constraints mentioned by the fishermen in the project area Out of 41 respondents, some 54 per cent, 20 percent and 10 per cent mentioned lack of extension support, fishing gears & transportation and fishing gears  & tack.of extension support, respectively  as  major botl'enecks for fishery development in the proiecl command area {Table 6 I)
Table 6.1: Major constraints for fishery development as mentioned by respondents
Constraints
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Lack of extension support
22
50.0
53 7
90.2
Fishing gears & Transportation
0
18.2
195
19.5
Valid
L
Fishing gears 5 Lack of extension support
,
4
9.1
90
100.0
All
, .hr;             7
15.9
17.1
36.6
Total
,vf 41
932
100.0
1 Missing
System
3
6.8
| Total
44
100.0
Generally, based on the collected primary and secondary data, the study has identified (he following major development constraints to fishery sub-sector in the project area:
•     Lack of attention to the sector by concerned and relevant institutions The neglect starts right from the Bureau of Agricullure where there is no assigned fishery officer in lhe structure of the regional bureau Fishery related activities are performed by livestock development experts who lack adequate technical training and experience.
•     Prevalence of hardship conditions in lhe area and lack of adequate logistical support that make the development and extension support to fishers difficult.
•    Low level of fishing organizations and backward technology.
•    Lack of onshore infrastructure such as landing facilities and access road.
•     Absences of strong fish trader or/and fishermen cooperative that collects fish Irom different landing sites.
« Lack of transport facilities from landing, site Io market.
•    General lack of information on the socio economic and fish stock.
•     Insufficient knowledge of lhe techniques of fish handling and preparation for sale or consumption
•     Lack  of  research  outputs  and  extension  support  to  river  fishery  in  general  and aquaculture in particular.
•    Lack of credit facilities to finance fishing operations and fishing gear supplies.
•    There is also an obvious shortage of budget to carry out the essential activities in the concerned institutions,
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7.  FISHERY DEVELOPMENT IINTERVENTIONS
b -n' ■.
A fishery  in the project area involves  the capture of wild fish or raising fish through fish farming or aquaculture. Capture fisheries can be broadly classified as industrial scale, small- scale ar artisanal, and recreational. Most fisheries in the project area are wild fisheries, but farmed fisheries are in ils pioneering stage. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosed pools, usually for food. Farming can occur more typically in inland waler bodies such as lakes, ponds, (anks and other enclosures
The current fish production in the project area is at its subsistence level and the catches sold in the village markets  are insignificant. Production can increase from rivers  near to the market areas. Moreover, the construction of micro resen/oir and canal systems will further bust the supply both for home consumption and marketing.
7.1 Capture Fishery in the Reservoir
7.1.1 Objective
Reservoirs  can help improve fish producer! besides  storing water for irrigation purposes. The main objective of fishery  development in the reservoir is  thus, to increase the fish production using pioductive technologies  to boost the household income and nutritional status  of fanning communities  in the project area, which could contribute to the poverty alleviation and enhance food security Thus, the purpose of this project Is lhe sustainable expansion of fishery  and aquaculture activities  in the reservoir areas  of Dabus  Irrigation Project Io enhance the contribution of fisheries to sustainable food self-sufficiency and rural development.
7.1.2 Rationale and Justifications ,
Reservoirs support fish populations and fisheries where yields are comparable to or higher than the livers they submerge Reservoir fishery is expected to make significant contribution to household cash income and improvement of living conditions. The estimated fish production potential of 69,898 kg per year implies direct employment for about 35 fishermen It will also be a capital asset, which will generate a steady flow of benefits to the population
■hat depend on it, The estimated yield will raise the fish consumption of the households in
the project command area by about 54 kg per annum and lhe per capita consumption by 
13,0 kg/year.
• ,-m.
■
7.1.2    J Features of the Reservoir
'
n“ ’
With the creation of reservoir a new artificial aquatic environment will be developed which
will contribute significantly to regional fisheries ano for livelihood of impoverished people. On
the other hand the dam will create an artificial lake. This new reservoir will be an ideal new
habitat  that  will  increase  fish  production  per  unit  area.  Water  released  from  lhe  Dabus 
Reservoir  will  be  diverted  to  lhe  irrigation  sites  by  a  dam  built  close  to  them  The  total
command area identified is 17,330 ha and the total net irrigable area on both banks of the
river is estimated to be 10,000 ha,
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Map 7.1: Location of the Reservoir Areas
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Map 7,2: The Reseivolr and the Project Command Area
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VnluntB IV - Part X Fishery Development Study/>/)ya/Repoil
The dam with a large reservoir on the Dabus River, a tributary of the Blue Nile (Abay) River, with a crest level of 1007 masl. is an earth fill impoundment located within the kebeles of Dabus Atsmbaqo and Mugufude from Assosa Wereda. Eda dabus from Barrbasi Wereda and Zumba from Oda Bildiglu Wereda with Ictal areas of 1 627.80; 7,793 86, 4,305.81 and 11.279 hectares, respectively. The reservoir with a total area of about 1.141 hectare lies at right and left banks of the Dabus River (feap 7.1). The mean depth, at full supply level is expected to be 35m causing submergence of land and houses in some parts of the above mentioned 4 kebeles The expected features of the reservoir are indicated in Table 7,1.
Table 7.1: Edaphic and Morphometric Features of Dabus Reservoir
Description
Parameter
Reservoir catchment, km'
10,100
Surface elevation (m)
1013
Surface area (ha)
1141
Mtnimvm descharge (m 7s) (dry season)
1S.4
Maximum depth (m)
35
Mean fluctuations
1010
Maximum
1013
Minimum
1007
Air temperature -C (26 years)*
Yearly mean
25.45
Maximum
32 5
Minimum
18.1
Tolal ra i nfall (mm) (26 ye a rs) *“
r
«■i
Annual
, ,T
1040
Maximum (monthly)
v
247
Minimum (monthly)
04
Estimated reservoir shore line, km
Max.
53
Min
22
Source compiled by the consultant, January 2014
7.1.2.2   Rivers Feeding the Reservoir
Several large permanent rivers as well as. many small seasonal rivers feed the Dabus River and the reservoir. As has been described under section 4 4 1. there are 15 permanent rivers feeding the Dabus River and the reservoir year round of which 4 rivers feed the reservoir directly while the remaining 10 are tributaries of the Dabus River. All of the four perennial rivers feeding the Dabus River are on the right bank while the rivers feeding the reservoir originate from the left bank  (Map 7.2). Furthermore, seven intermittent rivers  are also charging the reservoir during rainy seasons and these include Mana River. Adirshe River, Pereo River. Alede River, Buli Ali River, Aregale River, and Demiba River. Table 4.6 and Map 7.3 depict the permanent rivers feeding the Dabus River and the reservoir
■■
1               'i
The main river on which the reservoir
built is stretched for about 31 km inside the
project command, as measured from downstream up to the reservoir. The main permanent rivers are stretched for about 56,677 km inside the command area
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Map 7.3: Permanent and Intermittent Rivers Feeding the Reservoir
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7.1,2.3 Fish Production Potential from the Reservoir
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Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development St udyTfrf^ Report
With the formation of the reservoir a new fishery is expected to emerge. The reservoir is estimated to be about 1,141 ha and could provide multi-purpose benefits of irrigation, drinking and industrial water supply, and fisheries. In stable water bodies, including reservoir, rivers and the iarger permanent water bodies associated with river systems, fisheries are pursued around the year. Intensive lishing continues throughout the wet and dry season both in the standing waters of the reservoir and In the main river channel. The high density of phytoplankton (of many species) in the Dabus Reservoir is conducive to proliferation of fish species
Levels of fish production from natural ‘walbTs. vary considerably. Influential factors include geographical location, size, fish species present, natural productivity of the water, degree of control over the fishery, fishing methods used, to name but a few In reservoir and lake fisheries levels of fish production from capture fisheries can vary from 5 to almost 700 kg/ha/yr The stock biomass, and therefore the productivity of fisheries in lentic systems, depends on the natural productivity of the system. This is influenced by a number of factors; principally, the nutrient levels in the waler entering the system (a product of the natural fertility of the soil in the catchment, or the intensity of agricultural practices), the amount of allochthonous organic matter entenng the'system (which will slowly release nutrients to the system as it decomposes), and the residence lime of the water within the system (a long residence lime allows the accumulation of higher levels of nutrients in the water column, and thus greater levels of primary production) (Marshall, B., Maes. M.« 1995).
Reservoirs and, to a lesser extent small lakes are very similar In rnost respects, except that m artificial lakes the inflow is generally large in relation to their volume and they have a lower water retention time than the natural ones (Dunn, 1989 in Marshall, B., Maes, M., 1995} These waters vary considerably because of climate, nutrient status and other (actors, and they are correspondingly variable in relation to their fishing intensity.
■    ■ -’ll 1 f-
The water quality of small, shallow reservoirs may not be significantly different from that of the river flowing into it, but they are frequently warmer and more eutrophic. Most artificial lakes tend to be most fertile immediately after their construction, sometimes reaching a peak after 3-4 years, followed by a drop, after which they stabilize al a lower level of productivity, but one which is still greater than that of the original river (Coche, 1974; McLachlan, 1974, Mitchell and Marshall. 1974 in Marshall. B , Maes, M„ 1995) The final level of fertility can be greatly influenced by outside factors, especially nutrients added to the inflowing rivers, and the rates! which nutrients accumulate in lhe sediment.
I
The proposed reservoir is located al a lower altitude (995 masl) and due to its warm water temperatures; it will normally be conducive for fish production than those located in higher altitudes. Moreover, it contains the well-known commercial fish species such as Nile tilapia, barbus and catfish in its river systems.
The productivity of lakes will, in the first instance, depend simply on their size. Fishery potential (lone/year) of Dabus  Reservoir has  been estimated using vanous  models developed by different reseaichers. Henderson and Welcomme (1974) were lhe first to apply morpho-edaphre Index to predict fisheries yie^d’from African lakes while lhe others used area relationships. The results of these approac^s are highly variable, but lhe predictions based
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□n  the  morohc-edaphic  index  tend  to  be  underestimates  whilst  those  based  on  the  area relationships lend to overestimate it (Table 7.2). A more reliable model based on the morph edaphic concept, by adding conductivity to the catch vs, area model, could not be developed (Ruud CM. CruL 1992).
The fish yield of Dabus reservoir has been predicted using 5 models: MEI Conductivity and MEI TDS models FAO (1994) edited by B. Marchal & M Maes and Ruud C M Crul (1992) lo improve the quality of prediction (Table 7.2). However, the estimates of the models vary significantly and difficult to relay on The aggregate yield estimates of the five models lies by 38 kgfha/yr and the range is between 16.6 kg/hatyr to 61.26 kg/ha/yr The predictions based on the morpho edaphic  index  underestimated the yield while those based on the area relationships have almost similar figures>^^
Therefore, (he average potential fishery  yield from- the proposed reservoir has  been estimated using the model developed by Crul (1992) and lies by 69.898 kg per year. This will raise the fish consumption of the households in the project command area by about 54 kg per annum whife lhe per capita consumption lies by 13.0 kg/year, which is much higher (han the regional average of 4 kg per person (BoA, 2011) due mainly to the fact that lhe people in the project area settle close to lhe rivers and have developed year long tradition of fish consumption. This value obtained from the reservoir alone is by over 50 times higher than the national average (240 g/person/year) and indicates that lhe people in the region as well as in the project area will be relatively well nourished than lhe average people in lhe country, Much higher consumption of 22 kg per person per year has been estimated by BoA (2011) for the typical full time fishers inhabiting around the shoreline in Benshangul Gumuz Region.
Thus, the estimated per capita fish consumption is approaching that of the neighboring East African Countries such as Uganda (35.7) and Kenya (14.3) and exceeding that of Sudan (4.4) Somalia (1,6) and Djibouti (3 3-kilc-grams), respectively (Aylegeb Anteneh Chekol, 2013). As the result, lhe meat eating habits of'Bertha and Gumuz ethnic groups will be shifting in favor of fish in ateas and comm uglies where there is reoular and sufficient supply Table 7.2 Predicted fish yield in (kg ha1 yr ) of Dabus Reservoir
S/N
Prediction Model
Fish yield (kg ha'  yr’’
11
Author
1
TDS
16.60
Mai$hall(1964)
2
Electrical Conouctivity
19.94
Marshall (1984)
3
Artificial lakes
31.95
Marshall (19&4)
4
Area: cutch relationship
61.26
Ruud C M Crul (1992)
5
Area cutch relationship
60.70
FAO (1994)
30.09
Mean
Source: estimated by the consultant
7J.2.4 Fish Meal Production
Animal protein is lhe most deficient nutrient in both human and livestock diets. One of lhe most valuable protein sources of animal protein for livestock feeding is fish meal, which is difficult to replace with proteins of other origin The content of essential amino acids (Lysire, methionine and tryptophan) and the very  Igng chain polyunsaturated fatty  acids  (PUFA) referred to as omega-3 make the productj^luable and hard to replace by protein sources of
r
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plant origin. Unfortunately, the protein sources  of both animal and plant origin are under increasing cressure from the combined effects of expert growth, underutilization of slaughter house by-Droducts and export ban from live animals. Therefore, It is important to look for a better ard cheap alternative source of animal protein that is environmentally friendly, readily available and of high protein value One of the alternative sources of animal protein could be fish meal through effective and sustainable utilization of existing potential fish west products
Fish meal or fishmeal, rs a commercial product made from fish and the bones and offal from processed fish. It is a brown powder or cake obtained by drying the whole fish that is unfit for human consumption and fish trimmings. Fishmeal is  a nutrient-rich and htgh-protein supplement especially  sulfur containing anjino acids, lysine and methionine, ard is  used primarily in diets for domestic animals especially poultry, swine and other farmed Fish. These animals eal without any sign of dislike It is also nch in mmeral and vilamms than protein source of plant origin like soya been Fish meal is usually considered to be too expensive for inclusion in the rations of adult cattle and it rs not normally used for dairy slock. Though the raw material for fish meal production is available in significant quantities in the country and the project area is  not an exception, the supply  is  almost nonexistent and expensive to purchase if any.
Of the several ways of making fishmeal from raw fish and fish offal, the simplest is to let the by-product dry out In lhe sun This method is still used In some parts of the world where processing plants are not available, but the end product is poor quality in comparison with
ones  made by  modem methods  According to Asrat Tera and Tsigeyohnnis  Hable (2006). fish offal can be dehydrated naturally within seven to ten days period to a moisture content of only  8% (though It look  them 10 days) as  opposed to modem ways  of drying, which entails a considerable initial investment
In the project area, fishmeal can be made from almost any type of fish species trimmings made during processing (fish waste or offal).* With regard Io fish waste production potentials^ different sources  provide different inforrh^on. The annual fish offal production estimate
vanes from 50% to 64% (Asrat and
2006; Pronce & Gernat, 2002). According
-------- -
to Yousif M. O. et al (2014), much waste is generated from tilapia industry because only the myomere muscles are removed and used commercially for human consumption. This portion constitutes  approximately  36% of the entire fish, leaving the remaining 64% of the fish as waste lost during the various processing operations. However, in most cases, whale fish is used in the manufacturing of fish meal. By  contrast, fish meal made from tilapia is  a by product of processing in which fillets have been removed for human consumption, as in the case of lean fish.
Taking the average offal production of say 50%, more than 34,949 kg of fish offal can be produced each year from the reservoir area fishery. Assuming 70% moisture content in the fish body and the moisture content of fish meal 8%, the total fish meal production has been estimated by 26.561 kg ar about 266 quintal per year, which will fetch a lucrative income of more than ET0 400.000.
The so manufactured fish meal can be used for the poultry intervention proposed in the Dabus Irrigation Project, Livestock Development Study. By considering a 2% inclusion in the ration, this will be sufficient to cover about 75°Z of lhe total fish meal requirement of the
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ration (or the proposed 1296 households in the project command area. By considering the
fish catch from riverine fisheries and canal systems the possible fish meal production will
surpass the demand and can be marketed outside the project area and will bridge the
scarcity of fish meal in the region and contribute to the poultry industry development tn
general. Fish meal can also be an important protein diet in an intensive aquaculture systems possibly established in the reservoir, canal systems and fish pond around the backyard
7.1.3Strategies for Reservoir Management
As indicated in the preceding sections, Dabus River harbors different fish species, some of which are economically  very  important, including, tilapia barbus  and catfish Therefore, strategies should be devised that could bring about sustainable use of fisheries resources of the river. The involvement of Dabus  River and other perennial tributaries in the reservoir affects  the migratory  fish species  because of spawning ground. Therefore, it needs mitigating measures for managing enviroripient; fish and associated fisheries m upstream, future reservoirs, downstream and irrigalion'canals
7.1.3.1 Pre-impoundment Measures
In the construction of reservoirs, the clearing of vegetation, movement of earth and rock, the presence of humans and machinery, bringing in construction materials, use of explosives, noise and reducing or cutting off river flow and increasing turbidity, will affect biodiversity, To reduce this effect some measures should be taken beforehand
A)      Design Considerations on the Weir and the Main Canals
While constructing the dam and canal systems, the downstream movement of fish should be considered so that spawned fish and juveniles should not inter the irrigation canal and the fishes will be in trouble to get back to main river channel once they enter into irrigation
canals Therefore, this can be mitigated by proper operation at diversion canal and putting some preventing mechanisms at diversion dam. This may be possible because, the
migratory fish species nave specific time and season. Unless such measures for mitigation
of these problems are incorporated in the design, and operation of the structure, it will have a detrimental effect due to misleading pf ijiig^lgry route of fishes into irrigation cana! system,
■ ■ 'ftr-i
■■r
Therefore, the spill way along the crest length should be dressed with strong 50 cm height iron fence of 5 cm mesh wire to protect fish loss. Moreover, the irrigation scheme of Dabus River would consist of two main canals, designated as Left Main Canal and Right Main Canal, need Io be covered with 3 to 10 cm mesh wire to avoid brood fish escape. Increasing mesh size from 3 to 10 cm means allowing large size fish to escape to canal.
B)    Facilitating Reservoir for Capture Fishery
Trees  need not necessarily  be cleared in1 reservoirs  where fishing activities  will mainly operate with stationary fishing gears, for example, gillnets, long lines, hooks and traps. It is apparent that catch by using these fishing gears is higher in flooded forest areas than in open water. However, it wdl be the major obstacle for gillnet, beach seine fishing, and navigation. Therefore, selective clearance of trees and bushes up Io the draw-down limit is essential for reservoirs where fishing operation is conducted by means of shore seines and dragnets. Hence, vegetation should be cleared at gentle slope areas  of proposed
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f
reservoir  for  facilitating  future  fishing  operation  This  option  is  recommended  for  Dabus reservoir in relation to the level of integration with other uses
On other hand, vegetation in the littoral zone are beneficial to fish production because they provide both shelters for Juveniles and non piscivorous species from predation and also a large surface area for growth of organisms which are important source of food for many fish species. Finally, substantial proportion of the terrestrial vegetation should be kept at places where no hindrances for fishery, irrigation, hydrological or civil engineering requirements are feared
A) Protection of Spawning Areas
The spawning period for most fish species  is  during the wet period when Ihe waler level starts  to rise and influx  of fresh nutrient from (he land comes  into Ihe lake Nile tilapia and African catfish use river mouth and shallow areas around Dabus River flooded area for breeding and feeding II is known trial the Nrleitilapia and African catfish breed in the shallow vegetated belt of the lake and Ihe same ^11 happen in Ihe reservoir too Therefore, its habitat modification will have adverse effect on the fish production mainly  in the reservoir and to a smaller extent on the main river channel. Protecting these spawning areas  is therefore of great importance and, once they  have been identified, active steps  should be taken to protect them These could include designation of protected area preventing fishing in some areas by putting in obstructions like cut trees.
7.1,3.2 Post-impoundment Measures
A)     Control Water Level
,.
ir
The most important hydrological factor in reservoir is the change in water level. The changes are linked with rainfall pattern, which fills  during wet season. It fluctuates  in dry  season, when the demand of water for irrigations will be high. The effect of water fluctuation on fish produclion is one of the major factors for optimizing fish yield.
However, as the volume of the Dabus Reservoir remains always constant, there will not be a spawning ground problem and the waler quality  will nol be deteriorated due to high con central ion of chemicals that could discontinue the reproductive activity of the fish. Here the restocking program every  year folloy^ng the dry  period using small-scale hatchery establishment, which will be signrfica'ntl^.ekpiensive, seems not necessary.
B)     Control Aquatic Vegetation
Different types of vegetation, ranging from semi aquatic to floating and submerged plants will develop in the reservoir after stabilization (4-6 years) They  are source of food directly  for some piscivorous  fish species  (Table A5). In contrast, rhe floating vegetation has  harmful effect in reservoir by impeding on fishing It is difficult to control and avoid once reservoir is invaded In general, introduction of piscivorous fish species like Tilapia zilli may be effective method for weed control.
Moreover, Ihe reservoir surface area close to the settlement areas preferred to be leveled, bush cleared and free of stubs and huge stones in order to facilitate fishing operation. This helps to optimize fishing productivity and also provide landing sites for fishing communities.
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Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development Study/r/^y Report
The fish community  that establishes  itself in the reservoir is  based entirely  on that pre existing in the river basin, unless  exotic  species  are introduced. However, fish communities that develop in reservoirs, following the construction of a dam. may  differ considerably  from those of the original river. Those species which are better-adapted to riverine conditions tend to decrease whilst those that can adapt to lacustrine conditions  increase. Tilapias  are the most important examples  for this  and they  have little difficulty  in breeding in reservoirs. The decline of those species  is  usually  due to an inability  to breed in reservoirs. (Marshall, B , Maes, M . 1995),
On the other hand. Tish species  are introduced into water bodies  under certain circumstances  to improve fisheries  in lakes, reservoirs  and rivers  throughout the world According to Marshall, B., Maes, M . (1995), these include, 1) when there is  an unutilized ecological niche, 2) to restore species diversity, especially in man-made lakes where species that should be in the system were absent when the dam was  closed, 3) when Osh stocks have been depleted through overfishing, pollution or drought, 4) in response to specific problems, such as  the use of Grass  Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to control troublesome weeds  and 5} for possible control of vector-borne diseases  like schistosomiasis, malaria or
filanasis.
*“
Most fish introductions are likely to be carried out once, or a few times, until the new species is  fully  established and capable of maintaining its  population through natural reproduction. The periodic  stocking of fish is  perhaps  more common and is  a useful means  of managing small or seasonal water bodies  or supplementing natural recruitment (Welcomme and Henderson, 1976). Il is  usually  uneconomical in larger water bodies  when there is  a wide variety of species that reproduce naturally (Marshall, B.. Maes. M , 1995).
Since the supply ol fingerlings is often a major constraint in stocking programmes, there are several criteria that should determine the species  being considered. They  should reproduce easily  and frequently, whilst the technology  required to propagate them should be simple and inexpensive, so that it can be done by the local population They should feed low on the food chain, and be capable of rapid growth in order to maximize yield. Finally, they should be preferred by  the local population so that there are no difficulties  in disposing of the catch (Marshall, B., Maes. M., 1995).
Therefore, introducing new species  into the, current reservoir seems  unnecessary  as  there are adopted and dominant spices  such as^jje tilapia and catfish in the Dabus  River system that can adopt the reservoir environment with little difficulty. The unjustified introduction and transfer of live fish potentially harm native or established stocks, and further affect the catch and structure of the whole fishery  concerned. Therefore, the introduction of fish species  in the proposed reservoir, which is not present in the river, should be based on the results of research
The possible sources  of fish for stocking the reservoir if deemed important, could be; 1) Federal aquaculture center under National Fishery  and Aquatic  Life Research Center run under Ethiopian Institute ol Agricultural Research, 2) Natural fish stocks  in previously stocked reservoirs, and 3) the Dabus River
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D) Fisheries Regulations 
Volume IV - Pail X Fishery Oovolopment Study^/fl (Report
>
The principal purpose of fishery regdlatioHs^ind controls Is (o ensure a high but sustainable yield to the fishery. Fishing not only causes a reduction rn fish population; it also alters the growth rate, the population structure, and has an adverse effect an the normal reproductive capacity  of the population. It is  therefore necessary  to have some measures  io control fishing in order to ensure the optimum utilization of the resources and reasonable economic returns to the fishermen
Most of the artisanal fisheries in smail water bodies are characterized by a variety of fishing methods of varying efficiency, Not all of the methods are employed regularly and the choice may be influenced by water levels, wind, the behavior and availability of fish, and so on.
Therefore, to prevent depletion of the fish slocks some form of regulation must be placed on the intensity  of the fishing effort, either with respect to the number of fishermen (or their maximum allowable catch), or to that section of the Osh population which can be exploited (to prevent deplelion of the breeding adults, or the young recruits to the population). With respect to mesh regulation, the tilapia gill nets have minimum mesh size set based on the size at maturity, which ranges from 28 to 35 cm.
Regulations governing fisheries will obviousl/ vary from one country to another, but should be based upon biological knowledge, ywffLeaking economic  factors  into account. Fishing regulations should be well defined and specify, the minimum mesh size of the gear, closed seasons, licensing, and the prohibition of illegal fishing. These regulations  will not be effective if they are neither respected nor enforced, and, in practice, they are widely ignored. One solution might be to limit the number of prohibited types of gear, in order to control them better and another approach is to license a group of fishers, who will then regulate access themselves in order to protect their resource
With respect to rights of access and ownership, two distinct terms can be differentiated. In an aquaculture system, the fish are confined by the farmer and lhere is no question about who owns them The question of ownership is less clear as far as dams and reservoirs are concerned Many of them may have been built by one agency (e.g., Ministry of Water and Energy) for an irrigation scheme run by  another (e g., Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development) on land that is communally owned In the most part of the region, most part time fishers fish with reds and lines as well as different kinds of traps, the method that does not require a license Thus, restricting illegal fishers  and allowing those cooperatives  and fishers group means preventing depletion of resources around the reservoir.
Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development is the only institution lo enforce the fishery regulations. Besides  Implementing aniM^ofcing the legislation, it is  also responsible for maraging the fisheries, which involves gathering data on things like the relationship between traditional rules, fishing gear, fishery statistics, fish biology and population dynamics, social and economic factors.
Generally,  effective  measures  for  the  control  of  fishing  and  enhancement  of  the  reservoir productivity may tall into nine categories:
• During the first five years, experimental fishing should be done to assess the stock and success of stocked fishes (if happen) in terms of growth and survival.
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•    Estimate the efficiency of different gear and catch composition of each gear.
I'i'i IP'd
•    Prepare resource management pjamfor reservoir that includes management of fish spawning site and season, gear type etc.
•    Regulation (he Intensity of the fishing effort, either with respect to the number of fisheimen or to that section of the fish population which can be exploited.
•    Licensing certain number of fishermen and fishing gears according to biological limits.
•    Ban certain fishing methods such as fish poisoning, chase & trap, beach seining, monofilament nets.
•    Facilitate infrastructures such as access roads; construct low cost jetties, fish cleaning shades etc.
• Organize fishermen cooperatlve/group to initiate fishing by providing inputs.
• Conduct training on fishing techniques, fish handling and preservation for fishermen
7.1.4 Project Components
The activities under this sub-project component include supplying fishing gears and simple wooden boat, simple fish processing shade, fish shops, training fishermen, construction of two small landings  at each side of the river bank  and purchase of equipment for fish preservation Table 7.3 gives the type and quantity of investment items together with their corresponding investment costs.
7.1.4.1 Improving Fisheries infrastructure and Marketing
Reservoir fisheries  require landing sites3 fish receiving and transportation facilities  and dependable market access  or outlets  Moreover, facilitating access  road from landing site to major towns for transporting the catch jetty for harboring boats, fish processing shades to protect the caught fish from solar heat pending transfer/first sale, and potable waler supply at important landing sites, which will improve fish handling, collection, marketing and distribution are the major fishery  infrastructures  required for proposed reservoir that the regional government should provide for developing fisheries  markeling. The role of regional government and or the project office in developing fisheries marketing should begin with the provision of the above menfionedi infrastructures while lhe creation of these basic services determines the potential effifeienc^oftmarketing arrangements.
The fish landing and marketing facilities should be inexpensive at the same lime maintaining the good standard of technology and nygiene Moreover, small-scale facilities al main fish marketing towns are also required. The size and location site of infrastructures such as fish processing shades should be planned carefully so that they conform to users' requirement. The basic issue for site selection for suitable landing and marketing facilities in fishing area are location should be al convenient distance from fishing grounds, provide safe land/anchorage for boats in all weather and all state of tide, provide access to fishing
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grounds and market outlets etc Therefore, all aspects should be considered before taking the final decision because often seemingly obvious choice is not the appropriate one.
Though the exact locations of the jetty, fisft.and fish meal processing houses are not known, the general orienlation is to establish 2i|eti(^s around lhe reservoir one on the right bank at Zumba kebele and the other on the left bank al Mugufude Kebeie and the cooperative office could be established in Dabus Atimbako and Mugufude village as they share the same town The main fish marketing shoo can be established in lhe regional capital city, Assosa from where lhe product can be distributed to as far markets to Addis Ababa.
Small-scale fish marketing development should be aimed at increasing fishermen income and consumption. Fish marketing is currently low al project impact area due to different reasons However, fish marketing could be increased through creation of processing houses, training of fishermen, and better d'Stributiori chain. Besides this, form of presenting fish (such as cleaned or gutted, filleted and dried) is a factor for attracting new consumers Therefore, fish and fish products processing activities such as gutting, filleting, salting, icing, packing, canning and refrigeration are some of the prerequisites required to optimize fish product utilization
Due to the intensification of agriculture through Irrigation in proposed areas, it is expected (hat market will develop al surrounding towns Assosa, Bambasi, Mendi, Nekemt, etc. and lhe population will increase which will require additional protein food which could be
who demand fish all the times.
7J .4.2 Organizing Fishers Cooperative
The Dabus Reservoir will create a full-time job opportunities to lhe beneficiaries around the project impact area Based on the model developed by Ruud C.M. Crul (1992). lhe reservoir wilh 1,141 ha surface area could support 35 commercial fishermen. Henderson and Welcomme (1974) suggested that large lakes and reservoirs might be fully exploited when they support more than five fishers per square kilometer. Small ones seem to be able to support a higher density of fishers. However, the critical fishermen density needs to be reviewed after conducting reservoir productivity  and stock  assessment studies, In fish Industry, FAO estimates that at the back of every fisherman will benefit at least four people who provide fishing gears, repairing fishing boats  and gears, fish processors, and fish traders. Based on this compulation the dependent on the reservoir fisheries will increase by four fold of the fishermen density i,e. 140 By considering lhe average household size of the region (4.5 persons/HH)p the reservoir could give employment opportunity to about 158 households or 709 persons will be benefited dice’dly from the planned reservoir
Commercial fishing is by its very nature a group activity. Working in association or group provides ground for collective responsibility for protecting the fish stocks, and for building trust (collateral) for credit access, and bargaining power in buying and selling fishery inputs and outputs in bulk quantities and al favorable prices Through cooperative, other services can be channeled to members and surrounding communities
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Based on the above mentioned assumptions, there will be about 7 fishing groups (3 on the left bank  and 4 on the right) consisting of 5 members  each These together with riverine fishers could merge together to form a cooperative under the possible name Dabus Fishers Cooperative" and acquire a fishing license. Currently, there is  no single cooperative operating in the area established as full-lime Fishers. Even lhe fishers groups formed are part time fishers engaged on other activities sucf^ as farming and gold mining.
Thus, organizing and supporting cooperatives  in fisheries  may  fall under lhe joint responsibility  of the offices  of agriculture and cooperative promotion. Furthermore, the reservoir will be better managed by fishermen cooperatives for effective management and sustainable use. Moreover lhe involvement of cooperatives  is  one of the most important means of controlling, harvesting and preventing illegal fishing
7.1,4,3 Inputs Supply
From the current survey conducted at command area level, it can be concluded that the people in the projecl area have encouraging experience in fishing, fish consumption and marketing that could be developed to modern improved fishing technology. The fishers have been using traditional means  of fishing like trap fishing, hook  and line, poisoning with herbs and other traditional and harmful fishing practices with low efficiency
Most of the inputs required by the Fishery industry, such as nylon twine & accessories, hooks, boats, and cold storage & transport equipment are imported items. They are not only  expensive, but also insufficiently  available in the local and national market. These inputs  in the past were supplied to liters  ’ through fisheries  projects, which were
■*'     - r .C' ' 1 ■'
terminated a decade ago. Since then, theyiridustry is suffering from a serious shortage of such inputs. Yet, no successful private investors are taking up the import and distribution of inputs.
Thus, it is  the responsibility  of lhe national and regional institutions  such as  Ministry  of Agriculture, Benshangul Gumuz  Region Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development. NGOs  and alher concerned organizations  Io take part for availing inputs  required for fishery development at region level and lhe project area in particular.
7.1.4.4  Processing
One of the most important objectives of Dabus Fisheries Development is fetching better income from sales of fishes at a constant basis. To do so, aggressive strategy should be formulated that would enable the products of the fisheries not only to penetrate into lhe regional national and eventually  international fish markets  but also remain competitive. This, among others, is  achieved gradually  by  value addition on the farm products Therefore, fish and fish products  processing, activities  such as  gutting, filleting, salting, icing, packing, and refrigeration are somfeiof the prerequisites  required to optimize fish
-        " 'iVT 1
product utilization
' :■
Dabus reservoir will have a capacity to support about 35 fuli-time fishermen. This is also mostly controlled and supported by government institutions The fisheries could use wooden beats, gill nets, sine nets, hooks and lines. Such fisheries require landing sites, fish receiving
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and transportation facilities and dependable market access or outlets As mentioned under section 7 1.2.3, a total of about 69,898 kg fish and 26,600 kg fish meat can be harvested from the Dabus reservoir annually This harvest (fish) could be sold either fresh in lhe area close to the reservoir or filleted Tor selling to consumers and restaurants at drslant markets like Asses a, Nejo, Gimbi and even as far as Nekemt and Addis Ababa.
7.1.4.5 Organizational Setup and Extension Support
The current organizational setup of livestock department should be reviewed and upgraded in accordance with Ineir growing fishery dqypjbpment and management needs of the region It requires a functioning fishery data, collect iop and analysis system or the rivers and other
f
small water bodies, which will form basis for resource management Since, the development of fishery calls new technique and skills; the availability of sufficient trained personnel should be  seriously  considered  The  current  development  agents  graduated  from  regional Agricultural Technical, Vocational, Education and Training College should be trained so that they can carry out the fishery extension services effectively. They need to upgrade their capacity through onjob-training, Moreover, for effective extension service to farmer/fishers, the current Farmers Training Center (FTC) should be strengthened
The responsibility for organization and management of the proposed fisheries development could initially be given to the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Benshangul Gumuz Regional State in collaboration with the project office, which should eventually handover responsibilities to direct beneficiaries after training on fisheries resources organization and management aspects.
7.1.4.6 Capacity Building through Training
The Regional BoARD has no extension staffs .that have adequate knowledge or skill to deal with the various and complex issues of thejjjyefiAcanals and reservoir fisheries in the area. It is necessary to recruit trained fishery pjof^j^onal to work as an extension worker at various levels Moreover, local individuals who are interested to engage in fishing require knowledge and skills about the improved technologies and practices they will apply. Particularly training on fishing techniques, net making, setting & hauling, handling of fish before and after landing and processing of fish to different forms, and preparation of fish dish or recipes will be important Staff training may be provided by Sebeta Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center and Federal MoARO and then, fishers will be trained at the local level by the trained regional and wereda fishery experts.
Fish caught in small quantities can directly^be sold to consumers by the individual fishermen themselves. However, in the case of bulk catch, there arises a need Io promote and support traders to receive fish from fishers and distribute to various consumption centers. Such entrepreneurship can be possibly formed through credit and training supports In addition to (his, the BoARD needs to make promotion of fish trade to attract others. In addition to this, imparting training for fishermen on fishing technique, fish handling and preservation should be an integral part of extension
7 J .4.7 Facilitating access to credit
Input for fishery requires high
most fishermen cannot afford and the need
for institutional credit is justifiable. However,, access to bank loan is very limited Limited
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Debus Irngnlion Design end Study Fm;cct _____________________________ Fishory Devetopmont Shirty,J Report access caused by the bank’s risky perception of the fishery industry; lack of sufficient
problems. Even if some banks allow access to loans, Industry operators find the high
collateral requirement and the high interest rate unaffordable
Ta bnng about change in the livelihood of members  of fish producers  and processors, the group should be financially  strengthened to achieve a positive influence on the success  of the cooperatives. The lack of fishing gear is a major constraint at national level currently and this is going to remain constraint here too Improved gears are not only limited in availability but also are costly  Fishermen should also be more organized than individual for effective
utilization of credit services.
11
So, easy  access  to local credit facilities  Should be arranged for fishers  who want to use recommended gears  Revolving funds  for fisheries  development may  be availed through NGO development assistance Commercial Bank, Development Bank, cooperative unions and rural financial institutions can facilitate a long-term credit.
The credit re-payment schedule can be as follows;
•    Pre payment 20%
•     First year 10%
•     Second year 15%
•     Third year 15%
•     Fourth year 15%
•     Fifth year 25%
7.1.4.8   Project Costs and Phasing
Fish production from reservoir involves  investment costs  such as  construction of processing and marketing houses, purchasing fife hfngi-gears. equipment and utensils  as  well as facilitating landing sites, fish receiving and'fi-ansportation facilities  The total investment cost is estimated to be ETB 1,317 million while the total working capital at a cooperative level is about ETB 900,159 The cost items  for working capital involve the purchase price al whole fish, salaries of fishery experts and miscellaneous costs during the first year
7.1.4.9   Benefits and Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries  of lhe fish production, processing and marketing venture are all fishers  and their households  participating in the programme. With the anticipated programme, it is assumed that 35 households who are directly participating in the prgramme will be benefited from the sale of fish and fish meal at lhe project full development Moreover, the envisaged fish production, processing and marketing project will create job opportunities  for fishers  and their household members  3nd other farmers  participating in the activities of guarding, fish and fish meal processing, selling and transporting the product from the landing site to lhe processing house and finally  to lhe fish market. The beneficiaries  of the fish venture will also include traders, modern and traditional restaurants, consumers  in the region. Pawe Poultry Multiplication Center, research and teaching institutions such as
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Fishery ovc to pm eel Si
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The fish production program will lead Io an annual gross income of over ET8 3 9 million at cooperative level Baseo on this estimation, each partici Dating fisherman will have a gross income of about ETB 86,677 per year from an overall fish production venture, which amounts to about ETB 7.223 per month including the family labor income. Apart from this, fish production could integrate very well with poultry production proposed by Dabus Irrigation Project. Livestock  Development Study  and would deliver an excellent source of protein supplement at easy reach and low cost.
Table 7.3: Major investment costs for Fishery development at reservoir level ('000 Birr)
SfN
Ham
Unit
Quantity
k
Unit cost
(ETB)
Total Investment
cost
1
Gilliwl
i 4/'
ho
105
2
210.0
r2
1F
Nel twines for mending nets  '*■
no
35
0.15
5.3
3
Simple wooden beat
no
7
3.5
24.5
4
Simple jetty for boa is
LS
2
1C0
200 0
5
Simple fish processing shade
m2
10O
1
100 0
6
Simple fish meal processing shade
m2
50
1
50.0
7
Cooperative office
m2
so
1.5
90.0
a
Furniture
LS
1
5
50
9
Fish shop
m2
so
1.5
75.0
w
Fence
'A ■:
m
180
08
144.0
11
Guard house
m2
27
1
27.0
12
Donkey cart
no
2
20
40 0
13
Donkey
no
2
6
10.0
14
Refrigerators
no
4
15
60.0
15
Ice box
no
10
o.s
5.0
16
Processing equipment
set
1
25
26.0
17
Training fishermen
no
35
3
105.0
18
T rain i ng materials                       ;. J.
?■ 'LS
35
1 05
36.8
19
Contingency 10%             1 1
1 »•
104.25
Total
1,317
LS = Lump Sum
7.2 Capture Fishery in Irrigation Canals
There Is  considerable potential for fish production in irrigation canals  which have suitable flow rates, water quality and depth, especially in tropical areas where primary productivity is higher (Brylinsky, 19B0) Many  water bodies  such as  dams, lakes  and rivers  destined to become part of irrigation schemes, have been extensively  studied in terms  of productivity and ecology. However the canal systems have been given little attention in terms of their potential for fish production. There are already  several examples  of integrated fish production in natural and man-made water bodies, but the potential of canals  for fish production has received little investigation,
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7.2.1 Objective
Canals  can also help improve fish production besides conveying water tc the field. The main objective of fishery  development in the irrigation canals  is  thus, to increase the fish production using productive technologies  ito boost the household income and nutritional status  of farming communities  in fhe project area, which could contribute to the poverty alleviation and enhance food security  The purpose of this  projecl is  thus  sustainable expansion of fishery  and aquaculture activities  in the canal systems  of Dabus  Irrigation Project,
7.2.2 Rationale and Justifications
Fish production in irrigation canals, which are often a conspicuous  feature of agricultural systems  throughout the world, has  largely  been'  neglected, and lhere is  consequently  very little information regarding such activities  Though no comprehensive assessment of (he value of fisheries  in irrigation systems  exists, fish have been harvested in irrigation systems for at least two millennia (Fernando and Halwait, 2000 in P. Dugan, et. al. (2005) and a vaiiety of studios show that these continue to yield substantial fish harvests and although the choice of species is limited, fish production is stilt possible.
Despite the probable reduction in habitat diversity  in irrigation canals, they  are able to support various  levels  of fish production. Fish undoubtedly  enter the irrigation system from the source waters  and some fish species  may  form natural populations  in lhe canals, although there is little data to support this, tn fact, entry from the source waters may account for the greater part of existing fish stocks in many irrigation schemes, but these fish will only form self-sustaining populations  if the correct breeding stimuli are present, and if sufficient food is available to support the population
With respect to canal structures, the bottom width and depth of water flow in Dabus Irrigation Main Canal resembles  that of typical fish pond making the fish production in the irrigation main canals  a possibility  as  with other countries  having the potential. Irrigation canal fishery is expected to make significant contribution to household cash income and improvement of
7.2.3 The Structure of the Main Canals
irrigation from the storage created in the Dabus  Reservoir is  provided via two unlined head canal systems  originating from the dam - The Left Bank  Main Canal (LBMC) and the Right Bank  Main Cana! (RBMC) (Map 7,4). The LBMC is  41 km (25.301 mi) long, designed to carry  a discharge of 10m’/s  (352,941 cu fVs) and provides  irrigation to a command of 60 km" (23.17 sq mi) while the RBMC is  .shorter and measures  about 30 km (18.571 mi) long, designed to carry 5 m^s (176.471 cu fl/s) and provides irrigation benefits to an area of 40 km- (15.444 sq mi) through its network of canal system. The details of the canal system are given in Table 7.4.
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As can be seen from Figures 7 1 and 7.2. the bottom width (5.8 m) and depth of water flow in channel (1 7B m) is quite similar to a standard dimension of a fish pond. Hence, fish production In the main canals is justified. As the secondary, tertiary and field canals dry out during the night, fish production, even in form of cage and pen. is not possible Here only backyard fish farming is justified as replenishing the pond can be done in accordance with irrigation frequency. Even the main canals can be emptied at the lime when maintenance is required and adjusting the production period with maintenance lime is required.
7.2.4 Limitations of Canal Systems for Fish Production
Fish production in irrigation canals has largely been neglected, and there is consequently very little information regarding such activities (Redding al al. 1990). The following are the major peculiarities of the canal system as compared to rivers and lakes
In many irrigation systems there are a number of inherent problems which act as constraints to fish culture, and fisheries production Ttjese include waler losses (scheduled abstraction, seepage, evaporalion) the rale of which is affected by climate, soil type and the lenglh of lhe canal, salinization, and sedimentation. As the water evaporates the concentration of salts in the remaining water increases and may cause stress to fish in the canals especially if being held al high densities. In addition, normal water management practices in irrigation systems create problems for fish production These mainly relate to fluctuating water flow, and canal drainage There are also problems relating to prevailing farming practices - lhe use of biocides and fertilizers, and their effect on water quality.
Water in irrigation systems may originate from reservoirs, rivers, wells springs, lakes or artesian waters. The natural flora and fauha in the canals will reflect lhe water source, lhe physical characteristics of the irrigation scheme, and will also be influenced by lhe use of chemicals on the irrigated land Thus each irrigation system may differ substantially from the surrounding natural waterways (Redding, T. A. and Midlen, A. B, 1990). The unique nature of the natural fauna and flora in canals would reflect the water source, and the physical characteristic of irrigation scheme. However, the hydraulic characteristics and trophic status of canal habitats are srgnificanlly different from the natural water
The energy In an aquatic ecosystem is derived either from external (allochthonous) sources, or internal (autochthonous) sources.ln arrj&icjation canal the major source of allochthonous energy in this habitat is from the source waters. In Dabus Irrigation Project, irrigation canals will draw their water from the reservoir, which may provide a rich source of allochthonous energy to the canal, in the form of plankton In rivers, pnmary production is usually lower than in lentic  systems  The short residence time of rivers  does  not provide the stable environment, characteristic of lentic systems, conducive to planktonic production (Redding et al, I99Q).
Canals usually have flowing water, although (here may be periods when the canal is static. This tends to preclude abundant planktonic growth, such as that often seen in enclosed water bodies, as  nutrients  and planktonic'organisms  are continuously  flushed out of the system. In many canals with flowing water the main form of autochthonous production is in the form of aquatic macrophytes and not the phytoplankton community. Whilst production can be very high in aquatic macrophyte communities, this production is not immediately available to fish, and may even be removed from the system during canal maintenance This
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shown,  in  most  cases  that  irrigation
nr■
til
will restrict the species  of fish found naturally  in'the canals  as  there are few species  (grass carp being one notable exception} which arable to directly utilize this form of plant material, which is unavailable in the country Thus, the hydraulic characteristics and the trophic status of canal habilals may be significantly different from those in nalural waters
Moreover, in irrigation canals the irregular flow rates and the lack of seasonality in the water level would not encourage the breeding of species  wilh marked seasonal cycles  of production, especially  those related to the flood cycle. Furthermore, habitats  within a canal may not be suited to the endemic species of the area. For example there may be a lack of breeding sites  stimulants  Io breeding, ar the correct food In addition to these, the destruction or alteration of the riverine environment, restriction of migration to spawning areas  by  dams, pollution of these habitats  by  agro-industrial chemicals, and flood control measures which have removed the spawning stimuli for many fish species are all commonly associated with irrigation systems.
Thus, the outcomes  of several studies  conducted on irrigation canals  are unanimous. Some suggest that faunal diversity  and abundance in irrigation canals  would be less  than in the source waters. Olhcr authors  are of the opinion that channelization has  little effect on the natural fish populations Studies on the effects of river regulation on canal ecosystems have
canals  differ  from  their  source  waters  (rivers  and lakes/reservoirs) in a number of ways. The dveiall effect of these differences appears to be a reduction in species diversity and abundance in the canal habitat, and possibly a reduction in primary production There are two consequences of this for the fisheries biologist:
i  It  would  be  difficult  to  establish  a  self-sustaining  exploitable  fish  population  without strict management of the stock, and a comprehensive restocking policy
ii.  II  is  not  possible  lo  use  existing  models  for  estimating  primary  production  in  fresh water (which are based on riverine and lacustrine ecosystems) to make estimates of primary production, and hence potential fisheries production, in irrigation canals.
Thus, managed fisheries in irrigation systems are something of an unknown quantity.
Primary production, on which the productivity of a fishery is based, cannot be reliably 
estimated in canals, and there would almost certainly be problems establishing a self-
sustaining fishery in an irrigation system. This is, of course, a generalization, but it
emphasizes the fact that each irrigation system must be examined individually with regard to its fishery potential (Redding el al, 1990)
7.2.5 Potential of Canals in Fish Production
i ma *
Fish production from irrigation canals  caV/'be acquired through aquaculture or capture fisheries. Reservoirs  support fish populations  and fisheries  where yields  are comparable io or higher than the rivers  they  submerge However, as  indicated in the previous  section, various studies have shown that channelized sections of rivers, and irrigation canals, exhibit lower species diversity than nearby rivers or static water bodies. Tarplee et al. (1971) found that the fish biomass in a channelized stream was 31% lower than in unchannelized stream and that a 78% reduction m macro-invertebrate biomass  had occurred Moreover, in the Gezira irrigation system in Sudan it was found that only 19 out of 34 species of fish present in the source walers (the Blue Nile) wore.represented in the minor and field canals (Coates 1984), a species deficit of 45% (Redding. T. A. and Midlen. A. B., 1990).
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These differences  betweer natural walers?aiid associated canals  can be attributed to lower habitat diversity in canal systems. The shaHow/s and deeps which characterize natural rivers and contribute significantly  to (heir diversity  of habitats  and species, are not present in irrigation canals, bankside and littoral vegetation is often discouraged, and the benthic fauna is reduced (Redding, T. A, and Midlen, A. B., 1990)
Despite the probable reduction in habitat diversity  in irrigation canals  they  are able to support various  levels of fish Droduction. Fish undoubtedly enter the irrigation system from the source waters  and some fish species  may  form natural populations  in ’he canals, although there is little data to support this, m fact, entry from the source waters may account for the greater part of existing fish stocks in many irrigation schemes, but these fish will only form self-sustaining populations  if the correct breeding stimuli are present and if sufficient food is  available to support the population in most cases  it is  not known whether fish in canals  are actively  reproducing or whether they  are only  periodically  recruited from the natural waterways (Redding, T A and Midlen, A, B,, 1990)
At prosent, no comprehensive assessment of the value of fisheries  in irrigation systems exists. However fish have been harvested in irrigation systems  for at least two millennia (Fernando and Hatwart, 2000 in P. Dugan^f, ai (2005) and a variety  of studies  show that these continue to yield substantial fish However, the models formulated to predict
fish  yields  or  fish  production  in  Hie  r'esimrbirs  and  rivers  cannot  be  applied  with  any confidence lo irrigation canals because of their unique environmental conditions
Redding, et a! (1990), calculated that 2 5 km of larger canals and 10 km of smaller channels 
are created for every 1000 ha irrigated. While there are no systematic data on the proportion
of these irrigation systems that are used for fish production, nor for current or potential harvests, studies reviewed by Redding et al (1990) provide an indication of the range of yields from capture fisheries and cage and pen culture (Table 7,5). On the basis of this review Redding et al (1990) conclude that,while there is potential for the management of
irrigation canals as capture fisheries, the greatest potential lies with cage and pen culture.
They argue that use of pens and cages for fish culture could substantially increase the
efficiency of waler use In irrigation systems Though fisheries production from canals is 
poorly documented, some of the yield estimates from capture fisheries and cage and pen
cultures are briefly described as under.
According to Redding et al (1990). the fish biomass  in the minor canals  of the Gezira irrigation system in Sudan ranged from 50 kg/ha to 2,766 kg/ha, with an average of 660 kg/ha In terms  of standing stock, this  is  greatet’than the biomass  commonly  found in many riverine habitats, which was  indicated’; ^Alvelcomme (1979a) that the average yield of floodplain rivers  during the dry  season vanes  between 60 and 1,000 kg/ha In Egypt it is estimated that almost 16% of the freshwater fishery production comes from the Nile and Its irrigation canals  (Sadek, 1988), though it is  not clear what proportion comes  from the Nile and what proportion from the canals  Chizhik  (1969 in Redding, T A. and Midlen. et al (1990) noted that in the USSR the potential production of fish in irrigation canals may reach 50-100 kg/ha, but this  was  in areas  where the species  were macrophyte feeders  and there was  an abundant source of food, in Bangladesh, government road and rail side irrigation canals  could potentially  produce 500 kg/h'a/yr, which would add another 10,000 tons  per year to the national inland fish production (Marr, 1986 in Redding, T. A. and Midlen, et al
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(1990) The simple release of Oreochrcmis spp . Channa striata and Puntius gonionotus into irrigation  canals supplying  orchards in Thailand was estimated Io have resulted in a crop of 350  kg/ha/yr,  without  supplementary  feeding  (Swingle  1972  in  Redding,  T  A.  and  Midlen.  et al 1990).
Therefore, by  considering the average fish production of irrigation canals  (660kg/ha/year) in the neighboring country, Sudan, the average fish yield from the two main canals  has  been estimated roughly and lies by about 505 quintal per annum on which about 25 fishermen or 5 fishermen s groups can be sustained (Table 7 6)
Table 7.5: Annual fish yields from capture fisheries and from cage and pen culture in
irrigation canals
R
«
■
!■
SfN
Country
Yield
Source
1
Capture Fisheries 
** ■ ■
Gezlra. Sudan
50-2786 kg/ha (mean 660 kg/ha)
Coates, 19B4
USSR
50-100 kg/ha
Chiznik, 1969
Bangladesh
500kg/ha
Marr, 1966
Thailand
350kg/ha
Swingle. 1972
2
Cages and Pens
Indonesia
50 t/ha
Costa Pierce and Effendi 1988
Egypt
100Vha
Ishak. 19S2; Ishaketal, 1986
China
300 l350kg/ha
Source Patrick Dugan, et al (2005).
Table 7.6: Annual fish yield estimateiron^Batkjs Irrigation Main Canals
Canals
kg
ton
Number of
fishermen
Left Bank Mam Canal
30142 2
30 14
15
Right Bank Main Canal
20394.0
20.39
10
Total
■ - .__ ._
50536.2
50.54
25
7,2.6Management of Fisheries in Canals
i
Management of the fish stock  may  involve restocking, introduction of new species, and the imposition of regulations  to control fishing effort. Fish introductions  have to be viewed with some caution since there are numerous  examples  of introduced species  totally  altering the structure of the natural fish community If there are vacanL niches to exploit within the canal system then introductions may be beneficial to the fishery (Redding et al 1990).
A degree of management of fish stocks in irrigation canals will be essenlral in most systems in order to maintain a sustainable fishery  However, Irrigation schemes  often cover vast areas  and consist of thousands  of kilometers  of canals, making effective fishery management a difficult task  Establis/iejj jjJethods  of stock  assessment and management for riverine fisheries could be used in irrigation systems, but the reservations about estimates of productivity should be borne in mind (Redding et al 1990).
In waters  suffering from a high rate of evaporation the water quality  will suffer through the concentration of salts, heavy  metals, and other pollutants. In severe cases  this  may  prove restrictive to the growth and health of certain species  of fish - once stressed fish are more likely  to succumb to disease organisms  in the water. There are species  of fish, however,
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which are tolerant of such conditions. Tilapia is perhaps the best example, so although the choice of species is limrted, fish production is still possible (Redding al al. 1990)
Water management practices m irrigation systems are often of a regular, seasonal nature, and their worst effects can be avoided by a synchronous seasonal fish production. In tropical climates, most cultured fish can be grown td-'rflarket size in six months or less, so year-round use of the canals is not necessary (ReddlrKf^Val. 1990).
Fish resource management in irrigation system will have similarity with nvers. The proposed management measures will depend on the situation and based on the research result. The closing season and/or area, mesh srze regulation and gear restrictions etc. are the major options. The introduction of new species  may  become an alternative of fish slock management in irrigation canal However, it will have a risk of altering the structure of natural fish community and should also be based on research results.
Generally, fish production >n irrigation canals  may  take two forms: capture fisheries  and aquaculture. However, fish production using both systems  is  not without a problem. The measures needed Io integrate fishery in irrigation canals for harnessing all its potential for
the benefit of proposed reservoir, irrigation system and Dabus River sub basin include: 1) the correct measure should be taken to avoid misdirecting the parent and juveniles fishes through imgation canals. 2) Conduct research and study on the effect of the irrigation canal on fish and fisheries, 3) prepare canal fishery management plan, and 4) Introduce cage and
pen culture to farmers. In addition to these, the foilowing are some important measures to be
taken in irrigation canal systems. 7,2.6,1 Aquatic Weed Control
The problem of weed growth in irrigation and drainage canals in many countries has been reported for many years by various authors. Weed problems in the tropics are particularly prevalent, since the high year-round temperatures  enhance growth rates  and shorten the lifespan of plants. As a consequence there is a large accumulation of organic material which, by the release of nutrients, stimulates more growth Where lhere is little control over aquatic plant growth their presence very often constitutes a significant nuisance
The Dabus irrigation systems are constructed with unlined earth canals with relatively slow How velocities  to prevent excessive erosion. Thus, both the distribution system and the drainage canals  contain slow moving or stagnant water, which are ideal places  for the growth of aquatic  weeds. The main aquatic  plants, many  of which are found throughout irrigation systems, are listed in Table A5.
The main effects  of excessive weed growth are in reducing water f'ow in canals  through physical restriction and by increasing the frictional resistance to flow providing breeding and feeding habitats for agents of diseases apd by often considerable increases in maintenance
costs,
4
Mechanical control is  costly  and requires  accessibility  to the waterways, and chemical herbicides are often so toxic that the water cannot be used subsequently for fish culture or human consumption or other uses. Fish can play a potential role in this aspect since they are active, feed voraciously and will produce a valuable by-product in the form of protein The
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species  which has  been most widely  used in this  regard is  the grass  carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella. allhough there are olher species  with potential in this  regard (Table A8).
An economic  analysis  of the system showed biological weed control to be considerably cheaper than either chemical or mechanical control. Van Zon, el al, (1978 in Redding al al, 1990) estimated that weed control in Egypt using biological methods, would cosl 75% less than mechanical means, and further experiments by Khattab, et al. (1981 in Redding at al
1990) suggested that a combination i of-’ 'bio log real (the introduction of grass carp) and mechanical methods was a more effective means of conlrol than mechanical alone
The most obvious  advantage to the use of grass  carp as  a biological control agent, in preference to chemical or mechanical methods, is  the direct increase m food production within the water body for very  little capital expenditure Part of the stock can be removed annually, up to a figure of SOD kg/ha, since as part of the management programme 25% of the number of fish originally stocked is added each year. Management aspects of biological control programmes are concerned with removal of a certain percentage of the fish, since overpopulation can lead to high turbidity and bank erosion (Redding at al, 1990).
Other species which have been found to reduce or control certain weeds (Table 8} include the common carp. Cyprinus  carpio, which stirs  up lhe substrate sufficiently  to prevent the growth of submerged weed through shading (a consequence of the increased turbidity). This occurred when carp were stocked at a minimum density of 400 per hectare. Tilapia species, Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia melanopleura are also known to conlrol Pilhophora and olher species of filamentous algae and submerged weed Further species  used for weed control include Tilapia zillii which was  used to control submerged species ol plant (Redding at al, 1990).
■■n
7.2.6.2Disease Control in Irrigation Canals
The costs of controlling disease vectors or hosts, either through chemical and/or mechanical means, are often so high that regular eradication in irrigation canals is not performed, and consequently many chronic diseases persist in the poorer parts of the world The vectors of many of these diseases are organisms which depend, to a greater or lesser degree, on the aquatic  environment to complete their life cycle, and they  are therefore commonly associated with Irrigation waters.
According to (Redding el al 1990), the most important of these diseases  include malaria, filariasis. yellow fever, equine encephalitis, and dengue fever (transmitted by  mosquitos). Diseases borne by aquatic snails include schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, distomatosis. and clonorchiasis, those by lhe simulium fly. onchoceraiasis (river blindness) and by the tse-tse fly, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) The abundant growth of aquatic vegetation found in many irrigation schemes provides an ideal habitat for many of these organisms, and as a consequence their numbers  rapidly  increase, as  does  the incidence of the diseases 
associated with their presence.
,V
'lhe manual clearance of weeds in many schemes puts the workers at constant risk of exposure to diseases, especially schistosomiasis. Chemical control involves the use of pesticides and herbicides which may affect the crops or non-target fauna. The results are
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only temporary and in recent times the emergence of resistant strains of disease organism or host has rendered many forms of chemcal control useless. Biological control is always a preferable alternative. However, the amount of research required before using such control measures is often too lengthy to be considered in areas where disease problems are acute and immediate control measures are necessary,
Biological control using various  species  of fish could provide a suitable solution, since encouraging results  have been obtained in several areas  Fish can be profitably  and successfully reared in irrigation canals to control unwanted aquatic weed growlh, and there is some potential for the use of fish to control vectors and hosts of waterborne diseases (Redding at al, 1990)
7.2.7 Project Components
The major activities  under project components  include supplying fishing gears  and simple wooden boat, simple fish processing shade, training fishermen, and purchase of equipment for fish preservation As the main canals are very long, running to the length of 41 and 30 kms, establishing fish processing and marketing shops at around each kebele (4 at the left bank  and 5 at the right bank) seems  important Table 7.7 gives  the type and quantity  of investment items together with their corresponding investment costs
The fisheries could use all the necessary inputs such as boats, gill nets, sine nets and hooks and lines. Such fisheries require fish receiving and transportation facilities and dependable market access or outlets Fisher communities will be organized and have associations and in most cases  acquire a fishing license, The location of fish processing shops  should be at convenient distance from fishing grounds, provide access  to fishing grounds  and market
outlets etc.
, ...
The detailed descriptions  of projectf co'rl^Onerits  such as  fisheries  infrastructure and marketing, organizational setup and extension support, capacity  building through training and facilitating access to credit were detailed under section 7.1.4 and repeating the same will not be necessary However, some important project components of canal based fishery are given as under
7.2.7.1 Organizing Fishers into Groups
As  explained under section 7.2.5, fish production in irrigation canals  In form of capture fisheries  and aquaculture (cage and pen)1 has  been practiced in different countries  with attracting yields ranging from 50 to 2,786 kg/ha/year, An average yield of 660 kg/ha/year has been recorded from Gezira irrigation canals in the neighboring country Sudan Furthermore, yields  ranging from 50 to 100 ton/ha/year have been achieved in countries  such as Indonesia, Egypt and China.
Therefore, fish production in form of capture fisheries and/or cage and pen culture cannot be an exception in Dabus irrigation system Though the different models developed for riverine and reservoir fisheries  fail to estimate ,fish yields  from canal systems, it seems  quite reasonable to consider the above fpe.ntojjed yields  in Dabus  irrigation Project canal systems. Based on this assumption,' a totaPof 301 quintal and 204 quintal fish can possibly be harvested from the left bank and right bank main canals, respectively To exhaustively
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Dabus Irrigation Design and Study Project____________________________Fishery Development Study Jy^Rcporl
exploit this immense resource base, some 25 fishermen will be organized in 9 fishing groups encompassing 3 anglers each. The 9 fishermen's groups will be organized in the 5 kebels (4 at left bank and 5 on the right bank) tn the project command area and each will be organized in their own kebeles.
The Dabus irrigation canal systems cover a wide area crossing 4 project kebeles and difficult to organize fishermen under one cooperative However, they  can be members  of the cooperative established at reservoir level together with other fishers  groups  to be established on Dabus and other perennial rivers.
7.27.2   Facilitating Access to Credit , . .,
,.v
The lack of fishing gear has been a rrtajH^pconslraint al national level currently and this is going to be the main constraint here too Input'for fishery  requires  high investment which most fishermen cannot afford. Therefore, there should be a special credit scheme for fishermen and fishery  related small entrepreneurs  who are unable to secure from formal financial institutions, due to inadequate collateral. A! present, some Rural Credit and Saving Institutions  are available at country  level But they  are not able Io cater to the needs  of fishermen. Fishermen should also be more organized than individuals for effective utilization of credit services.
7.2.7.3 Regulations
To prevent depletion of the fish stocks, in which case a consistent annual level of production could not be sustained, some form of regulation must be placed on the intensity  of the fishing effort, either with respect to the number of fishermen (or their maximum allowable catch), or to (hat section of the fish population which can be exploited (to prevent depletion of the breeding adults, or the young recruits  to the population). In addition, it may  be desirable, or even necessary, to enhance the recruitment to the fishery by stocking the water
body with artificially produced juvenile fish
7.2,7 4 Undertaking Applied Researches-
ni■
Fishing  practices,  ils  opportunities  and  limitations  have  not  been  exhaustively  studied  all
over  the  world.  Information  with  respect  to  fish  species  suited  to  the  canal  system,  their
breeding and feeding behavior, catch per effort and the like a e not well
r
studied. Thus, basic 
and applied research is crucial both at country and regional level Researches for the new approach for management of fishery in the canal system should be given due attention. It should concentrate on identification of the interlinking complex ecosystem of existing rivers with proposed irrigation canal and reservoir. Above all, the impact of dam and irrigation canal on upper and lower streams, before and after impoundment on fishery  should be given priority.
Research is also required to document and confirm whether this fishery is overcrowded in terms of the number of fishermen and fishing boats/gear or overcapitalized as far as capital investment in boats/oear/engines  is  concerned. Overcrowding or overcapitalization implies that further entry  of new fishermen and boals  (investment) would clearly  depress  the fisheries further More importantly, lhe stock size and the minimum sustainable yield have to be determrned and worked out for rational exploitation
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7.2.7.5 Project Costa
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Some investment costs  such as  construction of processing and marketing houses, purchasing fishing gears, equipment and utensils  as  well as  fish receiving and transportation facilities are involved in canal fishery project The total investment cost is estimated Io be ETB 829.150 while the total working capilal for the nine fisher's groups is about ETB 541,350. The cost items for working capital involve the purchase price of whole fish, salaries of fishery experts and miscellaneous costs during the first year.
Table 7.7: Major investment costs for fishery development in the canal system ('000 Birr}
S/N
Item
Unit
Quantity
Unit cost
Total cost
1
Gillnet
no
90
2
180.0
2
Net twines for mending nets
no
25
0 15
3.8
3
Simple wooden boat
no
9
35
31.5
5
Simple fish processing shade
m2
9
1
9.0
9
Live Fence
-m
540
0.1
54 0
10
Guard house
m2
27
1
27.0
11
Donkey cart
no
9
20
1800
12
Donkey
no
9
5
45.0
13
Refrigerators
no
9
15
135.0
14
Icc box
no
9
0,5
4.5
15
Processing equipment
set
1
25
2.5
16
Training fishermen
no
25
3
75.0
17
Training materials
LS
25
1 05
26.3
18
Contingency 10%
55.65
Total
829.15
LS = Lump Sum
As the nine fishermen's groups operate at different kebeles wide apart from each other, it is quite important Io facilitate loans  for each group. Based on this  assumption, the total investment and working capiatal requirement to be Injected at startuo will be ETB 92,130 and 60,150 per fishers group, respectively, which is about ETB 30,710 and 20,050 for each fisherman, respectively (Table 7.7), L__l
< m'^T'-
7,2.7.6 Benefits and Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries from capture fisheries development venture at irrigation canal level will be the 25 fishermen organized in 9 nearby  kebeles. Moreover, the envisaged fish production, processing and marketing project will create job opportunities for fishers and their household members and other fanners participating in the activities of guarding, selling and transporting the product from the landing site to the processing house and finally to the fish market. The beneficiaries of the fish venture will also include the cooperative established a! reservoir level, traders, modern and traditional restaurants, consumers In the region, etc.
The fish production program will lead to an annual gross income of over ETB 303,217 at fishermen's group level and each participating fisherman will have a gross income of about ETB 74,256 per annum from an overall fish production venture, which amounts io about ETB 6,188 per month including the family labor income. This gross income will definitely double
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or triple if the canal fishery  is  intensified in form of cage and pen culture as  with other countries  Irke Sudan. Egypt and others. In addition to this  lucrative income, as  with the 'Dabus  Fishers  Cooperative", each group can bulk, sun dry  and market fish meal to poultry producers  in the region and generate an additional gross  income of ETf3 12,933 per year or ETB 357 per head per month
7,3 Riverine Fishery 7.3.1 Objective
'i
The main objective of fishery  development in Dabus  and other potential rivers  is  to increase the fish production using productive technologies  to boost the household income and nutritional status  of farming communities  in the project area, which could contribute to the poverty  alleviation and enhance food security. The purpose of this  project is  the sustainable expansion of fishery  and aquaculture activities  in the permanent rivers  that have potential for fish production.
7.3.2 Rationale and Justifications
The perennial rivers  such as  Dabus. Tdm’et and Afa are rich in fish resources  which are under-exploited due interalia, to the limited capacity  and capital base of local fishers  and limited institutional capacity  of the Regional Bureau of Agriculture The proposed project will provide necessary  support to sustainably  exploit the fisheries  resources  of the above mentioned perennial rivers in the project command area,
“I he inhabitants  of the nine kebeles  in the project command area bordering the Dabus  River have been practicing fishery  since a long time. However the fisheries  are artisanal in nature and use locally  made inefficient gears. This  situation persuaded the consultant to initiate fishery  in the above mentioned perennial rivers  using modem technologies  coupled with fish production and processing skills. The fishermen inhabiting the shoreline with marked potential for fishery  have not benefited from the fishery  development endeavor in the country ai large and no major assistance has  come from other development partners  to support fishing in the area. The proposed project will represent the first major initiatives specifically  targeted at the fisheries  dependent poor rural households  in lhe nine project kebeles situated at left and right banks of the rivers.
In addition, fishing operations, as  a means  of food production, are less  susceptible to drought and irregular rainfall than growing crops  or raising livestock. Therefore, support to fishing where feasible will belter ensure food security. As  much as  possible, such support should be coordinated with agricullure/iivestock  development for enhanced resilience to weather vagaries  The increased production of quality  fish and fish products will make increased marketing possible The lucrative income earned will permit enhance national and regional food security.
Development intervention should be gradually  through such small-scale projects  for selected target groups, and they  will work  as  Initiator for the stagnant situations. Then integrated development in fishing community  requires  having all facilities, organizations  arid institutions, needed for the fisher's groups
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7.3.3 The River System and Landing Sites
1*
Large rivers  are among the most biologically  productive and diverse of aquatic  ecosystems which provide value to society  through fishing Aquatic  plants  take up excess  nutrienls-such as  nitrale and phosphorus-from agricultural and urban runoff, and some of those plants  are the food base for fish. The main sources of carbon and nutrients constituting the fish in large rivers  originate in the floodplains, or perhaps  the upstream tributaries. or even the plants  that grow within the river itself,
There are 15 permanent rivers  feeding the reservoir year round of which Tumel River, Anidel River, Abegu Fedi River, Oundulu River and Dabus  River feed the reservoir directly  while the remaining 10 are tributaries  of the Dabus  River within and outside the project command area. All of the four perennial rivers  feeding the Dabus  River are on the right bank  while the rivers  feeding the reservoir originate from the left bank  and are Anidel River Tumel River, Abegu Fedi River and Oundulu River. During winter season there are also 13 intermittent rivers  charging the Dabus  River. Tables  4.6 and 4.7 as  well as  Maps  7.2 and 7.3 depict permaneai rivers feeding the Dabus River and the reser/oir
Endowed with such an extensive fertile land with 15 permanent rivers  in the project area, large and small crisscrossing it over 126 8 km network  of riverine waters  before draining into the Dabus  Reservoir, offers  an excellent potential and opportunities  for fish production if and when properly  managed Thus, there is?g?eat ^cope for much greater and higher output from fisheries  through intensification or greater use of modern inputs  of production and extensification or expansion of area under production.
7.3.4 Fish Production Potential in the Rivers
As  has  been eluded under section 7.3.3 above, Dabus. Tumet and Afa rivers  are known for their fishery  potential and actively  fished almost year round in the project command area. The aggregate total length of lhe 3 nvers  accounts  for about 63.5 km inside the project command area while lhe Dabus  River on'which lhe reservoir has  been built stretches  for about 53 87 km as measured from the reservoir up to downstream in lhe command (Map 7.2 and Table 4 6)
In addition Io this, a large segment of the rural population also relies  on these rivers for iheir subsistence though no data is  available on the extent of such subsistence fisheries  nor the quantity  or value landed. Thus, the catch recorded in the fisheries  statistics  of lhe region is under-reporting the actual size of the catch.
The major fish species  of market vatpes. itrftfe project command areas  that comprise a large share of high value high volume and low value high volume species  The species  commonly landed include but are not necessarily  limited to the species  0. nilolicus, C. garipinus  and Barbus  intermedius  Most of the landing sites  are inaccessible and very  difficult to sei fishing gears
With respect to annual fish yield estimation. Welcomme (1979a) indicated that the average yield of Floodplain Rivers  during the dry  season varies  between 60 and 1,000 kg/ha. However the population density  of fish 'will lend to vary  during the year depending on the
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level  of  water  in  the  over.  There  is  usually  an  increase  during  the  dry  season  when  the  fish are concentrated in a smaller area
According to Randall R G ., et al.. (139 5),’ fi^hj product ion is on average higher in rivers than in lakes  Production in rivers  ranged betvTerin 26 and 2,800 kg/ha/year (average 273 kg/ha/year), while production in lakes  ranged between 2 and 398 kg/ha/year (average 82 kg/ha/year. According to Welcomme (1985), however, levels  of fish production from rivers ace considerably  less, because of the much lower levels  of primary  production in these systems. This  is  related to the ephemeral nature of the floodplain habitat, on which most of the primary  production within the river system is  based Additionally, in contrast to lentic systems, autochthonous  production in rivers  is  constantly  being swept downstream (in the form of plankton, decaying macrophytes, and nutrients  released into the water column). Thus, the levels  of nutrients  at any  one time in a lotic  system are much lower than in the more stable lentic systems.
To estimate the total catch of fish in a year, an interview of fishers  inhabiting around each river has  been made and secondary  data was  taken Iron Bureau of Agriculture. For the estimation of the potential fish yield of each river, the simplest model of Welcomme (1976) relating catch and river length has  been used. Data analysis  was  done using Statistical Package for Social Science, version 20 Io make proportions and graphs.
As  can  be  seen  from  Table  7  8,  the  overall  fish  production  potential  of  the  3  rivers  with fishery potential in the project command sRs^'accounts for about 10 ton/year, which is about
7.2  per  cenl  of  the  regional  contribution  from  the  same  rivers.  With  respect  to  contribution  of the  3  rivers  to  the  total  production  in  the  command  area,  Dabus  River  has  lhe  lion's  share accounting  for  over  97  percent  and  followed  by  Tirmet  River  with  a  share  of  about  3  per  cenl and  the  contribution  of  Afa  River  is  negligible.  The  total  fish  production  potential  from  the Dabus  River  in  the  region,  accounts  for  about  108  ton  per  annum  while  it  is  only  about  9.7 ton per annum in the project command area.
Table 7.8: Estimation of Fish Yield from Permanent Rivers_______________________
Name of
the River
Within the Region
Within Command Weredas
Length
(km)
Fishery potential
(Uy ear)
Cont.
(%)
Length
(km)
Fishery potential
(tfyear)
Cont.
(%)
AfiR.
27.39
2,50
1.81
0.15
0.00
0.00
Dabus R
179.78
107.74
77 92
53.88
9.68
97.01
Tutnel R
91.71
2804
2028
9.46
0.30
2.99
Total
298 80
138.28
100
63.48
9.97
100
7.3.5 Project Components
The project will comprise lhe following .exponents: (i) organizational setup and extension support; (lit) organization and strengthdmng^df fishers' group; (iv) Management of Fisheries in Rivers; (v) Inputs  Supply, (vi) Training; and (vii) Facilitating access  to credit. The aspects of input supply  and training are similar with reservoir and canal fisheries  and here emphasis will he given to lhe second and thud components. Detailed description of the components  is presented bemw
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7.3.S.1 Organizing and Strengthening Fishers  Groups
Dabus irrigation Design and Study Project ____________________________ Fishery Devefopment Study/y^j/Repgrt
1
By  running everything through the cooperative, farmers  will be certain of getting the best price for their fish wrihout having to attend to the chores  involved with marketing With the vast water resources  available, the ready  supply  of a good labor force and a huge market nearby  in the project area and other .emerging big towns, there is  no reason why  the fishers groups  and cooperatives  merge logelherldhorm even a union. With the full implementation of this  project, such a huge market wilt become a reality, increasing food self-sufficiency  and food security of the region is inevitable.
As  can be seen from Table 7.9, there are 5 fishers  groups  already  established in the 4 project kebeles; namely  Dabus  Ahmbaqo, Fudindu, Belfudi and Zumba Hence, it is  quite important to strengthen these groups  in their respective kebeles  while an additional 5 fishers group formation in the remaining 5 kebeles  should be given emphasis. The two fishers  group in Fudindu Kebele will be merged together to form one big group with sufficient capacities.
As  explained above, an average fish production of 273 kg/ha/year has  been achieved in different countries  with a wider range of 60 kg/ha/year to 2,800 kg/ha/year. Having considered this. the annual fish production potential of the 3 perennial rivers  in the project command area has  been estimated using the well-known Welcome s  model and lies  by about 10 ton/ annum. Based on this  potential and the assumption of 3 fishermen to establish one fishers  group with average weekly  catch of 14 kg per head, some 25 fishermen will be organized in 9 fishing groups  in the 9 project kebeles  (5 on lhe left bank  and 4 on the right bank) in the project command area
Table 7.9: Existing and additional fishermen:s group to be established
F
•
Existing fishers
S/N
Project Kebele
group
Members
Additional group
to be established
Remarks
1
Eda Dabus
-
-
1
2
Dabus Alimbako
1
16
-
3
Mugufude
-
-
1
4
Fudindu
2
13
-
Will be merged
5
Shaga Demazin
-
-
1
6
Belanjero
-
-
1
7
Gam beta Dale
-
1
0
Belfbdl
1
7
-
9
Zumba
1
4
-
Total
S
40
5
As can be seen horn Table 7.9, lhe total length of the main river (Dabus) is only about 54 km within the project command area and hence, the total annual catch is  much lower (han yields 
□blamed  from  the  reservoir  and  canal  systems.  As  the  result,  fishermen  in  each  kebele  will sale  fresh  fish  to  consumers  in  their  resgj^tlve  local  market  and  the  surplus  will  be  sold  to the   cooperative.   Alternatively,   adjacent   fishes   groups   around   potential   rivers   and   irrigation main canals can amalgamate to form cooperatives to strengthen their bargaining power
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73.5.2 Management of Riverine Fisheries
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The  objectives  of  riverine  fishery  development;  namely  production  of  the  maximum  quantity 
of   food   at   an   appropriate   price,   the   maintenance   of   the   quality   of   the   fish   caught,   the
provision of employment and the improvement of the standard of living of the fishing community  are always  in conflict and the attainment of one in its  entirety  will impede the realization of the others. For example, the reguialing access  to the fishery  reduces employment opportunities  but increases  economic  returns  from the fishery. Thus, decision makers  should, therefore, give same weighting to the various  objectives  to allow for a more
realistic orientation of management plans ,6''1
■r
Fish for food may  be either captured as  adults  for direct consumption, or may  be caught while still in the juvenile or fry  stages  for stocking into other bodies  of water or for rearing in ponds or cages through a variety of aquaculture techniques,
Questions  of  access  dominate  artisanal  fisheries,  and  whether  the  resource  is  open  to  all fishers  or  restricted  to  a  certain  group  who  are  licensed  is  a  matter  of  deep  concern  to  the riverine   fishery   management   Fishery   resource   in   the   project   command   area   has   to   be allocated   among   several   interested   groups   and   direct   management   techniques   applied   to control   the   type   and   amount   of   fish   being   caught   Al   the   level   of   the   fishing   community certain management measures can be employed to improve the productivity of the fishery.
Worldwide, practices  exist for the control of the fishery  involve direct or indirect control on the fishermen by  limiting access  to the Fishery, or on the practice of fishing through control of season, location or type of gear. Usually  attempts  at direct control through legislalion result in costly  and sometimes  oppressive enforcemenl programmes, whereas  less  direct manipulation of the economic forces regulating the Fishery may be more effective.
■ j,
The individual artisanal fisherman in the project area seems  to have a limited fishing power in that they  are physically  capable of removing only  a certain quantity  of fish from the system in any  one year. Because of this  the solution that seems  most appealing in this  type of fishery  is  a simple restriction on the number of fishermen operating in a certain region Such control of access  through licensing remains  one of the most important managerial tools, particularly  in commercial Fisheries  An allied technique, the fixing of catch quotas  for individual fishermen poses  enforcemenl problems  in artisanal fisheries  but may  be practical where more intensive industrialized practices  are adopted Many  traditional systems  also practice forms  of access  control by  allowing only  certain groups  within the community  to fish the waters  Such control can be achieved by  establishing fishing groups  in their own respective kebeles.
On the other hand, improvements  in the catch capacity  of the individual Fisherman is  highly required and can be brought through introduction of new lypes  of gear that enables  the individual to capture larger numbers  of Fish of a greater range of species. These modern technologies  include an introduction of nylon twine and netting, perfect boats, gill nets, seins and cast nets.
r
-u I.
I' r
The use of mesh selective geai almost1 always  entails  a consideration of the mesh sizes  to
be adopted which can only  be viewed relative to the characteristics  of the stock  to be
exploited If the objective of ihe fishery  is  to exploit only  the large species  or the community.
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the imposition of mesh limits which protect the immature fish is probably the only way to do it
effectively  if  the  mesh  size  is  lowered  to  take  advantage  of  the  smaller  species,  then  almost
automatically  the  larger  ones  will  disappear  Thus  one  possible  solution  to  the  dilemma  is  the
limitation  of  mesh  size  in  major  gears  such  as  seme  nets,  gill  nets,  etc  ,  coupled  with  a  use
of  a  variety  of  minor  gears  which  are  aimed  at  particular  smaller  elements  oi  the  stock  In
other  words  in  a  fish  community  which  is  highly  diverse  it  is  as  well  to  maintain  an  equally 
diversified  fisher/,  However,  the  restriction  or  complete  outlawing  of  more  destructive  fishing
practices is most important
11
One of the mam factors  limiting the annual catch of the fisheries  of the Dabus  River is  their inaccessibility  and distant location to major centers  of population. Many  of the tributaries  of the Dabus  Rivers  such as  the Tumel or the Afa are still relatively  unexploited due to the absence of access  roads. Thus  the Dabus  River system is  a typical example of areas  where development is  conditional on the provision of suitable access  routes  and centers  for the marketing of catch, as  well as  inappropriate locations  of the landing sites  for the fishermen Thus, developing all weather roads  leading to landing sites  is  a priority  calling task  if fishery development is to flourish in the region.
7.3.5.J Project Costs and Phasing
The total investment and operating costs  for riverine fishery  in the project command area Is given in Tabic  7.10. The total investment cost is  estimated to be ETB 197,400 while the total operating cost for the nine fishers  groups  is  about ETB 541,350, which is  about ETB 21,930 or ETB 7,300 per fisherman
Table 7.10 Major investment costs for fishery'development In the major rivers ( 000 Birr)
r
SfN
llem
Quantity
Unit cost
(ETB)
Total
investment
cost
1
Sein net
No
18
2
36.0
2
Net twines for mending nets
No
9
0.15
14
3
Simple wooden boat
No
9
35
315
-1
Training fishermen
No
18
3
54.0
5
Training materials
LS
18
1.05
18.9
6
Contingency 10%
lu
*
55.65
Total
__________
197.40
7.3,5.4 Benefits and Beneficiaries
About 25 fishermen organized into 9 fisher's  groups  in the nine project kebeles  will be the direct beneficiaries  of the riverine fishery. The beneficiaries  of the riverine fish venture will also include the cooperative established at reservoir level, traders, modern and traditional restaurants, consumers  in the respective kebeles, elc  Moreover, each participating fisherman will have a gross  income of ETB 1,560 per month and the lower income is attributed to the lower yield in the rivers th5a H! -lentic systems.
:
7.4 Aquaculture
' ■ M’:
Aquaculture  is  the  cultivation  of  aquatic  organisms  Unlike  fishing,  aquaculture  also  known  as 
aqua  farming,  is  the  cultivation  of  aquatic  populations  under  controlled  conditions  The  term
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aquaculture has  a broad arena. Particular kinds  of aquaculture include alga culture (the production of kelp/sea weed and older algae); fish farming- shrimp farming, shellfish farming, and the growing of cultured pearls.
Fish farming involves  raising fish commercially  in ponds, cage, pen and tanks  or enclosed pools, usually  for food Fish species  raised by  fish farms  include carp, salmon, tilapia, catfish and cud. Increasing demands  on wild fisheries  by  commercial fishing operations  have caused widespread overfishing. Fish farming offers  an alternative solution to the increasing market
demand for fish and fish protein.
.,
■
Fish farming encompasses  a range of activities, including the production and sale of fry  and fingerlings and the raising of wild or artificially produced fry and fingerlings in enclosed or semi- Enclosed water bodies. Related activities  include the supply  of inputs  such as  fry  and feeds and the processing and marketing of aquaculture producls. Many  African countries  have identified and practiced aquaculture tn general and commercial aquaculture in particular as potential way of filling the growing gap in fish supply due to the limited nature of capture fishery resources, as  with in Ethiopia The suitability  of the Dabus  Irrigation Project area for aquaculture (fishfarming) has been charactenzed using the foilowing conditions
7.4.1 Physical Resources            '
Dabus  Irrigation Development Project area ano the associated reservoir and canal systems are located al an altitude of 900 to 1020 masi, which falls  into lowland agro-ecological zone (less  than 1,500 m a.s  I). The average annual temperature ranges  between 18.1°C and 32.8DC and the mean lies by 25.45°C The soil is dark reddish brown to dark red in color with deeply  developed clay  alleviation horizon of high structural stability. The texture of these soils  is  clay-to-clay  loam, have moderate organic  matter content and relatively  easily weathering minerals. Thus, the altitude, temperature and soil texture favours the development of fish farming.
.-’t
Furthermore, the project command area with about 17,330 ha gross  area and about 10,000 ha net irrigable area, is suilable to introduce commercial pond culture systems if found socio economically  feasible However, the aquaculture engineering part will be done using Aqua cullurisl with relevant input from Construction Engineer because there is  no Aquaculture Engineer in this country. Moreover, as intensive fish farming in form of fish pond, cage and pen system demand a frequent supply of fingerlings at definite intervals, an establishment of government or private fish hatchery or fish seed multiplication farms (fsmf) within the vicinity of the project areas is vital.
■ F ■
7.4.2 Systems of Fish Farming
Aquaculture systems  are broadly  classified as  extensive semi-iniensive and intensive on lhe basis  of the financial, technological and managerial inputs  to the system. Extensive aquaculture relies on natural food sources, primarily plankton and algae, as food for the fish. Natural populations  of fish may  be confined, or the numbers  of a particular species enhanced by  low-level stocking of the water body, and growth of the food source may also be encouraged by  limited fertilization of the water. Management and financial Inputs  are small Generally, fish farming in the project*command area could be practiced in form of semi intensive pond culture, intensive pond ctiitur^'and intensive cage and pen culture.
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Januaryt 2018Ministry of Waler, Irrigation and Electricity Dabui irrigation Design and Sluny Project
Volume IV - Part X fishery Development Study,/ a.Report
In  the  proved  command  area,  as  it  happen  elsewhere  in  the  developing  countries,  fish
farming can be practiced in the reservoir,, irrigation canal systems, rivers and even at the
backyard in form of fish pond in two ways; commercial and rural aquaculture. The motive
force   behind   commercial   aquaculture   is   profit   maximization   whilst   that   of   the   rural
aquaculture  is  primarily  meeting  the  subsistence  food  and  income  needs  of  lhe  family.
However, aquaculture for local consumption is not advised in Dabus Irrigation Project area
because  of  the  reservoir  and  riverine  fisheries  that  could  be  fairly  cheap  source  of  fish
protein for the surrounding population. Enclosures could be extensively or more intensively 
managed  but  for  cages  and  pens  only  semi-intensive  or  intensive  management  practices 
could be considered in most situations.
I j F .
4'1, i”■*
,
An aquaculture system becomes a cprrfrrtercial when it is under taken as a business venture or Io maximize profit, and when it involves  recruiting labour Where there is  government support, subsistence aquaculture gradually  transforms  itself into small-scale commercial aquaculture and this further transforms into a iarge-scale commercial aquaculture.
Aquaculture is further differed bated between Land-Based Aquaculture (LBA) and Water-Based Aquaculture (WBA). The LBA is the term used for any type of aquaculture that takes place on land, be it for freshwater or marine species. A land-based facility takes waler from a source (for example the ocean or a river) through a filtration process and into a containment area (usually lanks or ponds), The water can either be passed through once (flow-through) or it can be recycled through a series of treatment steps and used again (recirculation). The WBA such as cage and pen cultures are the appropriate forms of aquaculture in reservoir and in the irrigation system, because it has certain degree of control over production and confined nature of the production
Since primary production is the basis for all successive energy flow in the aquatic food web, then extensive and semi- intensive culture in the tropics may be more feasible in canals with a high eutrophic status. Whilst intensive fish production does not rely on natural productivity, the cost of complete feeds often renders intensive systems uneconomic, except for high value species (Redding and Midlen, 1990)
7.4.2.1   Semi Intensive Pond Culture
In semi-intensive culture, enclosures  are stocked with seed fish, and other species  are discouraged. Food is provided, in lhe form of low protein (10-30%) feedstuffs, to supplement the natural production of food stimulated by the use of fertilizers. Management inputs consist of fertilization, stocking seed fish and regular supplementary feeding. Financial inputs mainly consist of seed fish and low-grade feed. The costs are not high In general, yields of about 1,0 dha/year are obtained, but could reach 5 t/ha?year with supplementary  feeding and fertilization with controlled breeding, especially  for tilapia to eliminate overpopulation and consequent stunting.
7.4.2.2   Intensive Pond Culture
Intensive culture systems  represent complete control by  the farmer over all aspects  of lhe production cycle Other fish species  are eliminated from lhe enclosure prior to high density stocking with ths  culture species, Complete, pre-manufactured feeds  are provided These are high (30-50%) protein diets, usually-based on fishmeal. Financial inputs  are hiqh feed
f
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usually  being the greatest drain on resources  (up to 60% of production costs), and. depending on the species  being cultured, seed costs  can also be significant (Beveridge. 1984)
Generally, the pond system of fish production is  more than 10 times  more productive than under natural fisheries. Thus, aquaculture is the subsector which has the potential, opportunity and promise of greater growth in fish supply  for the country  in general and the region in particular. Even farmers  in lhe project area (settlement area) may  have concrete tank  or earthen ponds in his house compound and rear fish for food.
Table 7 11: Comparison of aquaculture systems (Carp culture m Indonesia)
Characteristic
Extensive
Semi-intensive
Intensive
Stocking density (Fish/b.a) Low (2-5,000)
Moderate (30-100.000)             jHigh (200-500,000)
Feed types 
Management
Natural food ohlyT^
Supplementary low cost
L
bran manure etc.)
t
Complete commercial 20- 25% protein
Stocking, Harvesting
Stocking, feeding, harvesting    Slocking, feeding, water quality and quantity, slock
manipulation, harvesting
Capital inputs
Low
Low-moderate
High
(Rp/ha)
(20-50 00D)
(100 000-5r™il)
(500 -700mill)
Operating inputs
Low
Moderate
High
(Rp/ha/ctnp)
(40-100 000)
(500 000-2 mill)
(150-200mil!)
Gross output
Low                     *1 •’Moderate
High
(Kg/ha/yr)
(100-300)
(1 000-5 033)
[(100-250 000)
Nel profit
Profitable Established,
[.
'.Unproven Many bankrupt in
growing
Source: Costa-Pierce and Effendi. 1988 in Rodding and Midlen, 1990, 1 lOORp = USS1
In many  situations  aquaculture may  prove more appropriate than a managed fishery, because of the greater control oossib’e oy0r production and the confined nature of the production systems. Far more fish per ^piFarea can be produced through aquaculture than through fisheries. The average production of fish from lhe oceans is less than 2 kg/ha/yr and from lakes  200-250 kg/ha/yr, whereas  the potential production from intensive aquaculture, even m low technology culture systems, can be as high as 1,500-2,000 t/ha/yr (Redding and Midlen. 1990). According to Jamu (1995), yields  vary  from 3.000 kg/ha/yr with Macrobrachium to 8 000 kg/ha/yr for Orichromis  niloticus  and 500,000 kg/ha/year for green turtles. However, inputs  to intensive pond culture systems  include formulated feeds, aeration, waste removal, and dense stocking of fish Farm infrastructure and equipment are expensive and costly. These highly  capitalized systems  require a ready  market for their
i
*
.
I Variable According to season
J 
r
produce (Table ? 11).
7.4.2.3 Intensive Cage and Pen Culture
4.
Pen and cage culture of fish are quick-yielding production opportunities  for poor or landless or marginal people. More importantly, from the point of view of capital investment requirement, its capital investment, fixed and variable (operating) costs are relatively lower.
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Dabus Irrigahro Design md Study Proiect
Volume IV - Part X fishery Development Study/^n^Report
Moreover,  lhe main advantage of  pen and cage  culture for lhe project area is that it does not require nor does it cornoete for land which is increasingly limited in availability.
Pen and cage culture can be carried out in any  suitable body  of water with sufficient deoth, water quality  and natural productivity  for pens  and cages  to be sited Dabus  Irrigation Project area has  a variety  of such water bodies  ranging from small and large rivers  (53 km 'ong}( irrigation main canals  (41 and 30 km long In left and right banks, respectively} and reservoirs (about 1 141 ha with depths  ranging from minimum river flow to 36 m), which are suitable for aquaculture production like pen and cage dilture Cage and pen culture are the most suitable forms  of aquaculture in irrigation’canals  The efficiency  of water use in irrigation systems could be substantially increased by’fish production in the irrigation canals
Extensive and semi-mlensive cage culture is  better suited to the tropical fresh water areas  of lhe world, because of the high levels  of primary  production in these waters. Extensive and semi-intensive culture is  also limited to benthic, planktivorcus, detrital and drift feeders, since carnivorous  species  have high protein requirements  which cannot be met by  primary production alone (Redding and Midfen, 1990).
Cages  can be made from cheap and locally  available materials, such as  barnboo for main structure drums  for float and appropriate mesh sized nets. Cages  are flexible and it can be easily  moved from one place to other place Small cages  can provide rapid returns  to the rural poor who do not have access  to land for pond aquaculture To develop small-scale cage culture operations, the focus  should be on consolidating research on small-scale cage
□peralions  in  rivers,  planned  irrigation  canals  and  reservoir,  establishing  management  and institutional  guidelines  for  the  use  of  cages  in  water  bodies,  and  generating  information  on lhe costs and profitability of small-scale cage culture. Deep parts of lhe reservoir or
Pen culture is  an alternative to cage culture, to produce fish in a more extensive system, in which the canal is  blocked off at intervals  by  barriers  to form □ series  of pens. This  system may  best be utilized for polyculture, as  this  has  been shown to be lhe best technique to make full use of the natural resources in an extensive or semi-intensive system.
Whilst pens and cages are similar in that the sides of the enclosure are man-made, pens 
differ tn that the base of the enclosure is lhe substrate itself, rather than an artificial structure
such as a net or wooden mesh. Pens have certain advantages over cages, perhaps lhe
principal one being access to benthic ^g an isms, providing an additional food source
(Beveridge. 1984) They do. however, suffer a major disadvantage in that they are difficult to
harvest Pens generally are larger than cages, and are less suited to intensive culture
In pen culture, low-cost materials  such as  bamboo stakes  or woven rush mesh are used as barriers  to prevent the escape of larger fish. However, to prevent the entry  of predatory species  it is  necessary, in the earlier stages  al feast, to use small meshed netting. In fact, it is  safer to use netting throughout lhe culture cycle, as  bamboo walls  etc  are more likely  to
be breached.
J 1:- V 11
In  addition  to  lhe  grow  out  of  fish,  pen  ciiHurd  could  be  useful  for  nursing  young  fish  as  part of a slock enhancement programme. After raising them for a few months in an enclosed
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area of canal, (he fish could be released to the rest of the system once large enough to escape potential predators. For example, in China many  irrigation systems  now produce 300-1350 kg/ha/yr of fish from extensive aquaculture using pens in canals For this purpose, the canals (3m deep) are blocked off every, 4.0 - 50 ha by a bamboo and net fence which can be moved to allow the passage of boats; .
7.4.3 Integrated Fish Farming Systems
To further economize on the cost of production, integrated fish farming can be profitably employed where waste and by-products from agriculture and food industries can be recycled as  inpuls  into lhe production system. In this  respect, livestock  production can be integrated into fish farming Chicken-fish, duck-fish, cattle-fish, small ruminant (goal and rabbit)-fish or some combinations  of these have been widely  practiced elsewhere like in China and
1 hailand
i
According to the Livestock  Development Study  of the same project, the households  in the settlement area are expected to practice dairying; fattening ol cattle, sheep and goats, semi intensive poultry  production and backyard forage development, which will well integrate with fish farming al the backyard, Experiments  conducted locally  using the Chinese system of integrated fish farming have demonstrated that yields  of more than 10 tons/ha/year are possible with minimum application of purchased or costly  inputs  like inorganic/chemical fertilizers and feeds.
.;i'
Thus, wherever feasible integration;of,-aquaculture with agriculture and animal husbandry should be introduced as  a general farming system. Steps  can also be taken Io selectively utilize household by-products and wastes for fish production purposes.
Along with integration, there is  also a possibility  of practicing polycullure. Polyculture is  now referred to as composite culture where lhe composition and ratio of the different fish species are scientifically determined. It is based on maximizing the use of the carrying capacity of lhe water column and pond bottom. The feeding behavior and food niche of the fish are taken into account in deteimming stocking density.
t
■ I
7.4.4 Establishing Fish Seed Multiplication Farm (FSMF)
rish seed and its  ready  availability  where and when needed, is  crucial to greater fish production. Without adequate supply  of seeds, intensive fish production cannot be efficiently carried out. Although an intensive fish farming in form of fish pond, cage and pen culture is a lucrative venture, the supply  of fingedings  is  increasingly  a real constraint to expand fish production in the country.
i  herefore,  as  intensive  fish  farming  in  form  of  fish  pond,  cage  and  pen  system  demand  a irequent  supply  of  fingerlings  al  definite  intervals,  an  establishment  of  government  or  private fish  hatchery  or  fish  seed  multiplication  farms'(fsmf)  within  the  vicinity  of  the  project  areas  is vital.   The   hatcheries   will   carry   out   artificial   spawning   and   breeding   of   fish   seeds   of commercially  important  species  in  nursery  and  rearing  ponds  and  abolish  the  dependence on the wild stocks for seed supply,
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Dabm irrigation Design and Study Preyed
Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development 5 ludy/yjfci Report
Thus  f fish farming in form of fish pond al the farmer's  backyard, cage and pen culture is  to be introduced into the project area, establishment of hatchery  Is  a prerequisite, which will cater for the annual seed requirement of intensive fish farms  and the requirement for ooen water stocking and enhancement programme. If such effort is  nol immediately  taken up, the country may have *o meet the fish supply deficit by imports which Ethiopia can rll-afford.
At present, the total seed requirement of the region for aquaculture and open water stocking
-        _________ -J _
f_______ ______ i______  II.-JU _________ ____ LlJ
- .—Ik-'W.l HELrjrii Ql -T, nn I r* j4 it* K ■ffrt F £1 V T1 m Fl I fl uji'lrfl
stocking.  Thus,  fingerlings  collection  from  rivers  and  the  reservoir  will  be  the  major  seed source in the project area until an establishment of hatchery is materialized.
However the mortality  of the Tish seeds  harvested from natural fisheries  is  very  high due to improper handling and nursery  techniques  and poor overall management. Thus, by employing artificial means  of reproducing seeds  under hatchery  conditions, the aggregate supply  of seeds  is  actually  increased This  in turn increases  the aggregate production of fish in the project area due to the greater availability  of seeds  The region has  thus  come a long way in meeting its own requirements for fish seeds.
7.4.5 Fish Species
One of the most important decisions  in the set-up of any  new aquaculture venlure is  the choice of species  Species  must meet many  requirements  to be amenable to aquaculture production. The potential for growing a species  needs  to be assessed in terms  of technological, biological and market feasibility.
The  choice  of  species  to  be  stocked-’in-'fisiff^nd,  pens  and  cages  is  very  important  as  it  will determine the success or failure of the production endeavor The species to be reared have
to be fast growing, hardy  and require low cost inputs. Obviously, this  rules  out carnivorous species, especially  those species  requiring high protein and high energy  diet like fishmeal based feeds. Such species  should preferably  be herbivorous  species  such as  tilapia (Tilapia nilolica) and common carp (Cyprinus  carpio) both of them are locally  available in Sebela National Fishery and Other Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC).
The species  used in intensive rearing vary  according to the site and consists  of trout, carp, the tilapias  (mainly  O niloticus), catfish'faainly  Ciarias  lazera), milkfish, and crocodiles, green turtles, shrimps, and prawns  The dominant fish species  in the water bodies  of the project area are tilapia arid catfish species, which have higher local demand.
Commercially    cultured    species    in    cages    and    pens    include    carps,    tilapias,    catfishes, snakeheads  and  pangasiids,  all  of  which  may  be  suitable  for  culture  in  irrigation  canals  O, niloticus  is  stocked  at  a  rate  of  120  individuals,  each  of  20-30  g/m3,  giving,  after  five  months^ a  yield  of  25-30  kg/m1   by  which  time  the  fish  weigh  250  g.  The  conversion  efficiency  is  2.5 Disease  problems  are  greater  than  in  fresh-water.  They  are  all  very  tolerant  of  conditions  of poor  water  quality  (particularly  high  susp^d^d  solids  and  low  dissolved  oxygen),  and  their culture  is  well  established  in  various  parti?  of  the  world.  Snakeheads  and  the  catfish  are carnivorous and would, therefore, require more expensive, high protein feeds,
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7.4.6 Fish Nutrition
Fishery Development
Volume IV^Parl
i «necl of cage and pond culture is providing gQod
’XX
. QC, Protein content should be J4 w
COr,3"'X 32 V* percent * 
'“«« “"Jf 28 •» 32 costs o{ production. Farms also
percent for larger fish. Feeds and depend on regular suppliesbe used lhe rearing costs: local matenais m
djets_ which must account for less than 40% of
lliiro       hhpc     not'®'at   present   in   the   country,   commercial   feed   is Since commercial aquacu                'hence from African countries shows that the high cost
not available local y owei ,
limiting fgclors fQ(. aquaCulture development.
Fortunate  Dabus  Sub  Basin  is  an  agricultural  area  and  may  have  sufficient  agricultural by-products that can be a source of farm feed for aquaculture
Extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture systems  generally  require regular supplementary feeding. This  can be cost-effective if locally  available foodstuffs  and farm by-products  (e.g., Rice and wheat bran, ground maize, cotton seed, brewery  wastes, sugar-cane wastes, slaughterhouse wastes, coffee pulp and hulls, cassava wastes, mustard oil cake, water hyacinlh leaf meal, blood meal and fish meal, etc.) are readily available. Fertilizing the water with manure can also promote fish production. Poultry  wastes  and oil seed cakes  were applied as organic fertilizer and supplementary feed, respectively
Generally, most fish production systems  require supplemental feeding. In order to develop aquaculture in the command area, research and development should focus on a wider range of production systems for fish farming and feed formulation from locally available agricultural
by-products.
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Volume IV - Part X Fishery Development 5»udy^28gffcpqrt
8.   PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT SERVICES
As  mentioned in the Dabus  Irrigation Project, Livestock  Development Study  the project will have its  head office in Assosa. the capital of Benshangul Gumuz  Region, with the necessary support staff including fishery  development experts  The sub-project offices  will be established in respective settlement areas, which will have the necessary  technical and administrative staff that can facilitate the implementation of project activities  with the help and direction from head office staff The overall direction of the project would be the responsibility  of the Regional Government. The program would also require strong technical and logistic  support, It will be essential that the majority  of the staff deployed to respective settlement areas is able to speak a reasonable amount of Arutham language
•Jji* *
The aclivities  of fish production in the reservoir irrigation canals  and rivers  will be supervised by  a project manager and assisted by  fishery  development unit manager, fishery development extension agents  and field supervisors. The major responsibility  in the project area would rest on the Assosa Project Management Office, which in turn would work  very closely  with the respective Agriculture and Rural Development Coordination offices  of Menge. Oda Bildiglu, Assosa and Bambasi weredas  The offices  would be responsible for the fishery  development project implementation and would collaborate and guide the technical, support and extension activities. The fishery  extension agents  would undertake the actual dissemination of the innovation in each project areas.
The Project Coordination Office will ensure coordination of implementation, planning, financial management and monitoring/ evaluation of not only  the proposed project but also other projects  in the fishery  sector The fishing communities  themselves  will be closely  involved in project implementation and will participate fully  in making decisions  on fishery resource use and management.
The successful implementation of the envisaged intervention would require an efficient human resource and sufficient material anSf’p.lher resources. The organizational set up of the project management is  shown in Figure 8. l' & Table 8.1. The Livestock, Fishery  and Forage Development Department under the project coordination office constitutes  the unit managers and (our senior professionals; namely, senior livestock  development expert, senior forage development expert, senior fishery  Development expert and a veterinarian In addition, three livestock, fishery  and forage development supervisors  as  well as  a veterinarian would be stationed one at each settlement areas  and would be accountable to the livestock, fishery and forage development department heads. Moreover, four fishery  development agents  will be deployed al each settlement areas  together with livestock  and forage development, animal health assistant, animal health technicians and Al technicians
The Project Office will handover responsibilities  to Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development (BoARD), which finally  handover responsibilities  to direct beneficiaries  after training on fisheries resources, organization and management aspects.
i
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January. 2016Tab’e 8.1: Manpower Requirement of the Fishery Development Intervention
—
1 s/
Job Title
Educational background and experience
N
o
Month!
y
salary
10%     I
provide  1
nt fund
Total
salary
Annual
salary
11
Fishery Development Unit
manager
MSc In Fishery, Aquaculture, Limnology with 6 years relevant
experience
1
6.000
600
6.600
79.200
H
Senior Fishery Development
experts
MSc in Fishery, Aquaculture. Limnology with 5 years relevant
experience
2
5,000
500
5.500
, 66000
L3!
II
I
Fishery Development Agents
Diploma in animal science and 5 years relevant experience
4
2.000
200
2.200
26.400'
Total
7
13,000
1,300
14,300
171,600
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Dabus imgatfon Detlffli and Study Project
9, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Volume IV - Pari X Fishery Devetopmcin! 5judy Etna! Report
The proposed fishery  development intervention include lime schedule for the pla ned activities  with sequence of tasks: list of inputs  required, strategic  issues  that should be considered for successful implementation and institutions  that should be responsible or implementing the proposed interventions  based on the existing government structures  and authorities.
9.1   Implementation Schedule
The implementations  of the sub-projecls  included in the fishery  project have to be implemented together with settlement and livestock  development programs. A total of 2 landing sites, 10 fish processing shades, a fish marketing shop will be constructed at the appropriate locations  One fisheries  cooperative encompassing 25 fishers  groups  will be established around the reservoir and irrigation canal systems. Furthermore. 9 fishers  groups will also be established at 9 project kebeles  with fishery  potential Generally, adequate and hands  on practice training will be provided before the commencement of fishing activity  and cooperative formation in the project area. The lessons  of previous  settlement and fishery development achievements elsewhere in the country must be assimilated and applied.
9.2   Implementation Strategies
For a project to work, communities  must be consulted, trained, and made responsible for its implementation and the local government involved. The isolation and geographical features of the area, the extremely  difficult logistics, and the relationship between the different ethnic groups  must be properly  assessed before any  project is  implemented Implementation involves  translating the agreed plans  into the actual on the ground. Specific  implementation strategies involve the following.
9.2.1 Extension
Agricultural extension can be defined as any set of learning experiences designed to
facilitate the voluntary adaptation of agqpuftural practices conducive to sustainable
agricultural production Though the p.roj?q^§rpa is endowed with diverse fish species, fishing
methods and technologies employed are primitive, resulting in low catch per effort. Modern
system of fish production, processing and marketing is a new system and requires an
intensive extension work.
9.2.2 Community Participation
The preservation of the ecosystem, its  resources  and its  livelihoods  will not come only  from micro-projects. Decision-making power for the communities  must be established to work 
hand-in-hand with the project management.
t-i
The effective implementation of the fishery  development sub-projects  depends  on the commitment and active participation of concerned stake holders  that will be part of ihe overall project implementation, monitoring and evaluation the envisaged project of Dabus reservoir, irrigation main canals and '.he major perennial rivers in the project command area
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The stake holders  such as  all the levels  ,'gj officials  of Agriculture and Rural Development offices, elders  and kebele association leaders, and cooperatives  should participate tn all aspects and a! all levels of the project implementation.
As  the fishery  project creates  more sustainable employment and income base for those allowed to access the resources and engage in direct production and post-harvest activities, the direct participation and handling of community  based fish production and processing is very  important and the fishers  group and cooperative should bear all responsibility  for its upkeep.
Some stakeholders  such as  resource users, the Bureau of Agriculture and fishery cooperatives  are primary  stakeholders  who have a direct interest, responsibility  and accountability  for fishery  resources  conservation and use. Others, such as  the local administration, the Cooperative Promotion Offices  and Environment Protection Authority are seen as  partners  responsible for facilitating the implementation of the envisaged fishery development project.
Management responsibilities  will be devolved to the lakeshore kebele's  which are close to the resource and are well placed io monitor and oversee the activities  of resource users  and the implementation pPmanagemenl measures. A Kebele Fisheries Managemenl Unit (KFMU) would possibly  comprise of the kebele administrator, BoA developmenl/extension agent, fisher's  ' representative^), community  police and community  elders. Consideration should be given to the involvement of ethnic  group leaders  and religious  leaders  who are often influential in terms  of natural resource protection and conflict resolution.
Fishermen and the gears  they  use would be licensed and they  would be affiliated to a KFMU. They  will have their represenlalives  at the kebele levels  and be responsible for implementing bylaws  related Io harvesting of fishery  resources  and the protection of the aquatic  environment and breeding grounds  Data provision, researchers  and fishery  officers, collaborate with other stakeholders
9.2.3 Formation of Cooperatives
From the current survey conducted in the project area, it is known that a large number of the
local community is engaged in the fishery for their livelihood. This, however, could only be
sustained under proper management pcaptiqes to conserve the aquatic environment
and by limiting the number of usershby licensing. Under open access type of
management where the users have'hoVdV/nership rights it will be difficult to ensure
sustainable benefit.
Apart from the demand of the local people, all wcreda towns  and the regional town, Assosa need to have fish with lucrative marketing price In different kebeles  fishers  contributed an inilia! capital and organized into fishers  groups. These should be strengthened and further organized in to fishers' cooperative around Dabus  irrigation project area and make use of this  opportunity  by  getting themselves  organized in form of "Dabus  Fishers  Cooperative*? They  can exploit the opportunity  by  processing fish into products  to be sold to users 
elsewhere in the country.
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Volume IV ■ Part X Fishery Develop me nl Study Final .Re pod
9.2,4 Incentives
\i■
The best performing fishers  group has  to be awarded every  year to motivate other fishers and the groups  themselves. Incentives  could be rn form of materia* or moral awards. Some other incentives  such as  free supply  of gears, refrigerators, fishing boats  and the like, ana advice on management should be extended It may  become necessary  to provide direct financial incentives  to the fishers  who are actively  participating in the overall project implementation
■ H;.
9.2.5 Capacity Building
All beneficiary  fishers, wereda livestock  development experts  and development agents deployed Io the project area will receive an exhaustive and practical training in the areas  of fish production, processing, marketing, and gear maintenance activities  The maximum duration of training for beneficiaries  will be 15 days  while an intensive training of development agents and wereda livestock exports will have a training period of one month.
9.2.6 The Need for Regional Fishery Proclamation and Guidelines
■-•f- r
Following the 2003 national fishery  proclamation, Amhara and SNNPR regions  have ratified their own proclamations  providing broad gtftdelines  related to resource conservation, food safety  and aquaculture. Both Federal and Regional proclamations  put considerable emphasis on regulation, permits and specifies the role of the fishery inspector.
Accordingly, Benshangul Gumuz  Region is  expected to draft and ratify  the regional fishery proclamation reflecting the region s  scenario. Fishery  in the region lacks  basic  information with respect to fish species  diversity, feeding and spawning behaviors, available feeds  and feeding, possibility  and methods  of fishery  in irrigation canals, aquaculture and the like, research findings  should be made available to the fishing communities. Furthermore, after the Regional Fisheries  Proclamation, implementation guidelines  should be developed. The Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development is  mandated to the control and implementation of the fishery  resource. The next step for it is  to develop management plan for each water body  There are many  methods  available for the management of fisheries, including the use of dosed seasons, closed areas, limitation of catches  or fishing effort, property  rights, taxation, catch quotas  and mesh size regulation Usually  a management regime is  some mixture of these and the concerned body  will use those tools  to utilize the water bodies  of the region in a sustainable manner,
9.3  Implementation Cost ”
Establishing self-reliance fish production and processing venture is  costly  but It has  lucrative returns  in the future generations  by  providing high protein sources  for the emerging metropolitan towns  catering for its  modern citizens  demanding nutritious  food. However, it involves  costly  inputs. As  a very  simple rule, every  investment made should be paid off from lhe increase in fish production. However, the endeavor is  to organize the poor farmers  to help start a new life and improve lhe living standards  and nutrition of the fishers  in particular and other citizens  in lhe region in genera lienee, the costs  of fishery  development activities require considerable technical support from government and lhe costs are also very high
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Volume IV - Pari X Fishery Development Sludy Fmai Feporl
and expected to be covered by the government and/or international development assistance Facilitating loan from financial institutions in the region is also another alternative Thus, only prominent capital and running cost items have been considered. The cost estimates for the Fishery Development Project is presented^ [Table 9.1.
The project involves  investment costs  and operating costs, and the overall project cost is about ETB 4,003,000 of which Birr 2,343,550 Is  investment and Birr 1.659,350 is  operating cost. The major investment costs  include constructing simple jetty, purchasing gill nets  and fish preservation equipment, simple wooden boats, fish processing and marketing shades, salaries  of professional sluff for one year. The programme will possibly  be financed by  the Government, foreign aid or loan from, financial institutions,
Table 9.1 Estimated costs for fishery development interventions ( 000)
r
S/N
Type of interventions
Investment
cost
Working
capital
Total cost
1
Fish production in the reservoir
1,317.00
1,098.00
2,415.00
2
Fish production in the canals
629.15
541.35
1370.5
3
Fish production tn the Debus River
197.40
20.00
2174
Total
2,343.55
1,65935
4,002 9
: /iW l
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10.    PROJECT BENEFITS AND BENEFICIARIES
Dabus  River with its  large reservoir and canal systems  will be the first of its  kind in the region which has  big contribution to the regional economy  Integration of fish farming into Dabus  Irrigation Project area will contribute to multifaceted efforts  to alleviate poverty  and food security. Fisheries  development creates  wide job opportunities. In the fisheiy  industry the fishing gear supplier, the fish orocessor. the fish distributor and the restaurant owners  are all beneficiaries  from the fisheries  It Is  said that a single fisherman provides  job for about five other persons  Hence, it is  referred as  main income generating activity. Moreover, the development of the fishery  industry  contributes  to the region population by  getting more balanced diets. Fish provides  high quality  protein and minerals and in this respect it supports a healthy growth to the local community
Hence, several project beneficiaries  can be identified for the proposed activities  I he direcl project beneficiaries  rnclude fishermen and their households, fishers  groups  and cooperatives  of the fishermen. Indirect beneficiaries  of the project are the local processing industries  that would be able to obtain more readily  the fish they  need for their processing activities  and the investors  interested in developing aquaculture in the Dabus  Irrigation Project Area. BoARD and MoARD
A  total  of  about  69,895  kg  fish  will  be  produced  from  the  envisaged  reservoir,  about  50.536 kg  fish  from  canal  systems  and  10.000  kg  fish  from  lhe  perennial  rivers.  The  fish  yield  from the  reservoir  alone  will  raise  lhe  fish  consumption  of  the  households  in  the  project  command area  by  about  54  kg  per  annum  apd  ihelper  capita  consumption  by  13.0  kg/year  at  the project  full  development,  which  is  much  higher  than  lhe  regional  average  of  4  kg  per  person (BoA.  2011).  It  will  also  increase  the  choices  of  the  consumers  to  lhe  food  on  their  tables  at comparably  affordable  pnees  Fisheries  development  will  also  play  a  great  role  in  control  and elimination  of  water  borne  diseases  such  as  malaria  and  schistosomiasis  by  fish  populations feeding  on  insects  and/or  insect  larva,  snail  and  reed  populations  and  other  vectors  of  the diseases.
Apart from these apparent benefits, about 10,624 kg and 20,214 kg fish meal from the reservoir fishery  and main canals, respectively  will be produced, which will fetch a lucrative income for the fishing communrlies. The poultry  production project proposed for the same project area will also benefit from the nutritious  fish meal and bust the egg production, Furthermore, Assosa University. Agricultural and Vocational Education and Training Collage, private poultry  breeders, NGO and the like will be the beneficiaries  of the fish meal production. Moreover, with the increase in catch, fish processing, marketing and net making activities emerge as job opportunities to the surrounding communities.
Table 10,1: Estimated income from overall fishery development interventions per fisherman
Gross profit per
S/N
Type of interventions  A
r
rp- u
1 'Recurrent cost
Revenue
Household/
year
household/
month
1
Fish production In lhe reservoir
900,159
3.933,041
36 677
7,223
2
Fish production in the canals
1,000,448
2,344,455
70.560
5,880
3
Fish production in lhe major nvers
34.507
540.000
20.217
1,605
Aggregated Mean Gross Profit
2,015,194
7.318.296
177,464
4,929
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p“X“ol’rXor imgalion main canals  and riverine fishery, respectively, which amounts to about ETB 7.223. ETB 5.880 and ETB 1.585 per month excludmg the lam, y labor income respectively (Table 10.1). Apart from this. lulWng nonschoto food self-sufficiency and f00d eeoenty is also among the major benefits of the Intenrenbons. The benefits will be mu
much
higher when the fishery development endeavors encompass intensive fish farming in from
’
ponds, cages ana pens.
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11.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 11.1  Impacts of the Dam
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Dabus Jnigallon Project will have two main structures viz, the dam body which will create a large reservoir and the network of canal system which will create imp a cl on the ^xis.ing ecological environment in general and fish resources  in particular. All those activities  WW lead to significant changes  in the natural environment during and after implementation □ e project
11.1.1   Changes to the Aquatic Communities
The proposed dam may  bring many  positive benefits, but they  as  so have some negative impacts  on the community, the physical environment and ecosystems. The major upstream effects of the dam include the creation of a reservoir and changes in the natural pattern of seasonal flaw The dam can have an effect on the downstream flow immediately  below it, and may  persist for considerable distances  downstream. One of the most fundamental biological effecls  of dams  is  io disconnect lhe migratory  pathways  by  which fish and other animals I ravel upstream and downstream.
Substantial changes  occur to biota betow a dam The most direct impact of this  is  the blocking of the pathway  by  which invertebrates  and fish travel upstream and downstream. This may result in the complete elimmalian of species dependent on migrations upstream for breeding or at least a drastic change in their abundance. These effects are not the only ones but fundamental changes  occur to plants  and animals  both upstream and downstream of dams.
11.1.2   Effects in River Channels
The bar to migration is fell upstream, bet’Sltfcc- riverine invertebrate and vertebrate species that would have come from downstream to upstream habitats are no longer able to pass the dam. Localized populations  of migratory  species  may  be retained due to lhe presence of large size tributary  rivers  above lhe reservoir which are not disturbed In these cases, the retention of species that are able to coni in ue to live In the river and upstream tributaries of the reservoir depends  on the preservation of a suitable upstream environment for breeding and feeding by  lhe organisms  affected. This  will lead to the rise tn abundance of unspecialized intermediate species that are able to live in lhe modified river channel and can tale rate stable flows
Migrating fish that would normally  have migrated upstream past the dam site tend to accumulate in the tail water areas  below the dam The accumulations  of fish are also vulnerable to predators including other fish, birds and anglers. The major downstream effect is the absence of normal floods for considerate distances below lhe dam This means I hat the floodplains  (hal were essential to African catfish are now detached from lhe river and seasonal water bodies  and marsh environments  dry  du( As  a result, lhe African catfish species  that are adapted to floodplain habitats  are eliminated or decline tn abundance and are replaced by other species.
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11.1.3  Pollution
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The main source of pollution for rivers  and reservoir are mainly  from agricultural chemicals  With the introduction of irrigal.on and intensification of agriculture in the future the use of pesticides  and insecticides  will increase tn lowland areas, whtch will have an adverse effect on the fisheries, Fertilizers run-off into waler bodies often results in eutrophication as the water becomes overly nutrient rich Eutrophication may increase the yield of certain fish species, but it is  generally  accompanied by  a decline in the number of fish species  and biodiversity  Besides  these, the gradual accumulation of contaminates from the effluents may become significant hazard for the consumers health and this requires legislative intervention.
Burning and clearing of lhe npari&nTof'd^tS and grassland is  widely  practiced by  the indigenous people around the reservoir and riverine areas, leading to widespread habitat changes, siltation and wildlife migration and demands adequate size of buffer zone between the reservoir and the main river
Generally, the construction of lhe dam and irrigation canals on the Dabus River will not have any significantly negative environmental impacts if appropriate measures during construction and implementation phases are given due considerations. The positive impacts overweigh which include diversification of aquatic biota, control of water borne diseases and attraction of aquatic birds.
Water Works Design ana Supervision Enterprise
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Ministry of Water, frngalion and Electricity 
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12.   MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Project monitoring and evaluation can be defined as  the continuous  collection of data concerning lhe implementation and impact nf a projecl and the periodic review and analysis of these data". Routine data collection for monitoring purposes  should form pad of the normal operation of the projecl. Regular evaluation will also be carried out by  the project staff, with periodic evaluation carried out by other staff acting as external auditors This may emanale from another organization, either of a supervisory nature, or of the funding agency. It is common for regular, formal reviews to be held al significant milestones such as mid-term or completion
Thus, the monitoring and evaluation system would be an integral pad of the whole program and evaluation of the fishery development project and be the responsibility of the Regional Project Coordination Office in collaboration with Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development of Benshangul Gumuz  Regional Slate A baseline study  will be carried out in the project area to establish benchmarks  for M&E indicators  including lhe socio economic  status  of the target group; the resource base; women's  involvement in fishing activities; and market conditions. Quantitative data will be collected by regional and wereda project offices based on targets and achievements
Moreover, in order to property  evaluate the monitoring resuits  and take lhe necessary actions  in time, it is  recommended lhat the monitoring results  are reported to (he project proponent, line sector and regulatory bodies at different levels
Costs  for monitoring and evaluation activities  for the effectiveness  of the fishery development projects, which are fonrial reviews to be held at mid-term and completion, were estimated at ETB 200,000
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13.  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
13.1 Conclusion
The study was conducted to assess and intervening the fishery resource base at teasi^ level in Dabus Irrigation Project Command, Area. Fishing in the projec area is |Ocaftzed the shorelines of the major rivers and produced al a subsistent level using locally made fishing gears that are inefficient. Though, the exact contribution of the fishery subsector the  nutritional  contnbulions  of  the  households  is  poorly  documented,  fish  is  one  of  |he historical widespread and significant diets in the project area especially for Berta and Gumuz ethnic groups. Fish is of special significance for food security in the project area, as most of the fish caught is going to be consumed domestically mostly by local communities and the surplus is sold at local markets after satisfying their household lequirements. II is also the simplest and easiest means to maintain livelihoods of the poor with little or almost zero investment required Fish catch provides high ■ quality animal protein crucial in providing
balanced diets for the rural people, -
’
Fishery development in the project area is constrained by mainly lack of attention to the sector by responsible institutions, lack of training and extension service, absence of fishery development experts in the organizational structure of the region, use of back warded and inefficient fishing technologies lack of landing facilities and access roads, lack of transport facilities from landing site to market, lack of research and knowledge gap,
To resolve the above mentioned constraints and integrate the fish production with Irrigation systems, the prioritized fishery development interventions were proposed which will center ari fishery development in the reservoir area, canal systems and potential perennial rivers.
lhus, from the Fishery Development Study it can be concluded that: 1) the fishery development endeavors around the reservoir, irrigation main canals and rivers will boost the nutritional status and income of the households In the project command area because fish
is the cheapest source of protein supply and is available throughout the year, in times of drought or other protein sources are in short supply; 2) the provision of modem fishing technologies will significantly increase the catch per effort, 3) it is technically possible to produce 6S,898 kg, 50,536 kg, 10,000 kg fish from reservoir, irrigation main canals arid potential perennial rivers, respectively, 4) about 10,624 kg and 20,214 kg fish meal can be produced from the reservoir and canal systems, respectively, 5) no major adverse environmental impact is foreseen from such a development Interventions.
This (arming symbtosis between intensive fishery, livestock development specially poultry and crop production with their valuable bi-products such as poultry droppings and dung as well as market for their valuable and nutritious products draw the settling farmers' attention posifiveiy to the irrigation scheme and help commence a new mode of life.
In spite of the above mentioned Irmitatidhs however, without exception all communities consulted have shown sympathy to the upcoming irrigation project and wished to be in place
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13.2 Recommendations
Volume IV - Pad X Fishery Development Study Final Report,
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The livelihood of the majority of the people inhabiting along the shore!.no is highly dependent on fishing The fishery of the project area is however, seaming from lack of modem f s.v.ig gears, knowledge gap, market and road access while me major towns in me region including the regional capital. Assess, are suffering from the shortage of fish supply and mostly fish meal is  non-existent As  the result, establishing and expansion of fishing cooperatives  and groups is an asset for the shortfall and promising opportunity for lhe emerging metropolitan towns associated with Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
The following is a summary of lhe recommendations that emerged from lhe study conducted at relevant offices river systems, fishing communities, consumers and stakeholder levels.
1.    A  successful  project  implementation  would  require  a  strong  organization  of  the fishermen  in  the  form  of  fishers  group  and  cooperatives  based  on  the  common interests  of  lhe  participants  Eventually,  the  cooperatives  and  fishers  group  can merge together to form Dabus Fishers Union al lhe regional level
2.   The settlement area together with ipcater facilities both for humans, fish farming and livestock  as  well  as  backyard  vegetable  production  can  be  well  Integrated  with fishery  development  as  they  have  complementary  products  like  fish  meal,  poultry droppings, dung and others.
3  The  reservoir,  irrigation  main  canals  and  the  perennial  rivers  (mainly  Dabus  River) supply the project area and the region at large wilh nutritious fish. This part of the water bodies have a special potential for intensive aquaculture in form of cage, pen and pond fishing even at the backyards of each settling farmers. An integration of all  these  options  into  the  Dabus  Irrigation  Project  Command  area  will  definitely maximize  an  income  and  improve  the  livelihood  and  nutritional  status  of  the  poor farmers in the project area.
in spite of this rampant resource base, the possibility of intensive fish farming is not without limitalions. As  intensive fish farming in farm of fish pond, cage and pen system demand a frequent supply  of fingerlings  at definite intervals, an establishment of government or private fish hatchery or fish seed multi pl I cation farms (fsmf) within the vicinity of lhe project areas is a prerequisite. Moreover, lhe possibilities of fish farming m lhe Irrigation canals as well as feeds and feeding of the commercial fish species to. be^raanaged in the pen, cage and fish ponds need an applied research
4.   The Project Management Offices at As so s a and respective settlement areas and their technical support and extension division staff should be kept abreast wilh the latest  knowledge  about  the  issues  of  fish  farming,  feeds  and  reeding,  and  fish processing aspects.
5.   Women play a leading role in fish preparation and processing. Therefore, women- partlcipated   projects   and   women   empowerment   is   essential   for   successful development interventions in and around lhe project area. Thus, the involvement of women  in  lhe  fish  production  and  processing  ventures  is  crucial  and  hence  it should be promoted Ihrough skill development training
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rnmuz ReqionebState should have a fishery policy basert 6 ? pX aTXy FurthernorqiVroPlementation guidelines should be de °n
Resional Bureau d Agriculture and Rural Develops  b
S   ouk, „
™lda ed to the control and mplementelron ol the fishery resource proclamaj
and guidelines to ensure biological sustainabHily of the fish stock ana
environment
7 Fishing at the river mouth and the river should be closed from July to October
’ Fishers must use gillnets of 10 cm and above stretched mesh size Licensing of fishers must be immediately materialized and fishing in areas that should be protected dunng the breeding season should be avoided
8. There is also an urgent need to teach farmers on how to prepare meal from fish
9  Enforcement  of  management  measures  effective  training  and  extension  work should  incorporate  active  participation  of  the  fishing  community  including  the upstream and downstream communities.
10.Reconsidering the organizational structures of the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development is urgent, which currently is missing the fishery experts even a!
regional level.
.
11. Investors should be encourbged'f^iihplement medium and large-scale commercial fish farming in the project area and at regional level at large.
12. The  illegal  and  devastating  fishing  practice  using  poisonous  and  agricultural chemicals should be stopped before the fishes are going to be extinct in the region
13 Research institutes should demonstrate technologies helpful for the subsector, identify the resource potential of the region, assess the fish stock and production potential of water bodies, conduct studies on the breeding, feeding and migration pattern,  survey  the  post-harvest  management  practices  and  socio-economic issues.
14 Plankton communities in irrigation canals should be investigated, with a view to establishing what levels of fish production these communities could sustain. With this information rational management decisions could be made concerning canal based capture fisheries.
15. Training (both short and long term) should be given for experts, researchers, aevelopment agents, (ishers, managers and investors engaged in fisheries and aquaculture
16 Marketing infrastructures (fpr i^ttynpuls and products) should be established and the necessary linkage should be made.
k aisn^r01 SaV'n9 and cre<l't serv'ces for fish production, input supply, and train ng devised frv^bam0IJrit imPortance Moreover, special credit arrangements should be
e investors interested to invest on fisheries and aquaculture.
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ValumB IV — Pari X Fishery Develcpmenl Study Fmat Report
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I           4.
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3.        Aliyev,   D.S.,   (1976),   Role   of   phytophagous   fishes   in   the   reconstruction   of commercial  fish  fauna  and  the  biological  improvement  of  water  J.  Ichthyology,  16 (2); 216-229
4.        Assosa   Agricultural   Research   Center   (AsARC)   (2006).   Five-year   Strategic document (2002/03-2007/08)
5.       Asrat  tora  and  Tsigeyohnnis  Hable  (2006).  A  preliminary  Study  on  Small-Scale Fishmeal Preparation and its Effect on the Growth performance of Chicks Awassa Collage of Agriculture. Eth J. Amm Pro 6(1): 90-95
6.       Aytegeb  Anteneh  (2013).  Management  and  Livelihood  Opportunity  of  Lake  Tana Fishery,  Ethiopia.  The  need  for  co  management.  Master  thesis  in  International Fisheries Management, NofW^gjE)p^ollege of Fisheries Science
7.        Benshangul   Gumuz   Regional   State   (BGRS)   Information   Office   (2007).   Facts About Benshangul Gumuz Regional State.
8.       Benshangul  Gumuz  Regional  State  (BGRS)  Investment  Office  (2005),  Industrial Resource   Potential   Assessment,   Project   Identification   and   Selection.   Profile Preparation  &  Establishment  of  Industrial  Zone  Study,  Part  I,  Vol.  IL  Socio economy, Agriculture, Forestry & Tourism Resources.
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255:131p.
11.   Coates, D. (1984). A survey of the fish fauna of Sudanese irrigation systems with reference  to  the  use  of  fishes  in  the  management  of  ecological  problems  (the control    of    aquatic    weeds,    malaria    and    infective    schistosomiasis)    Fish. Management. 15 (3):81-96.         4 *,
12.    D, Pauly and G.l. Murphy (1982), ^heory and Management of Tropical Fisheries Proceedings of the ICLARM/CSIRO Workshop on the Theory and Management of Tropical Multispecies Stocks, 12-21 January 1981, Cronulla, Australia.
13.    Dereje Tewabe and Goraw Goshu (2009). Status of Lake Tana Commercial Fishery Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI)
14.    ESAP (2007). Reconnaissance survey on the river fisheries of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State. Yared Tigabu and Husein Abegaze Proceedings of the 15th
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annual   conference  of  the  Ethiopian  Scciely  of  Animal  Production  (ESAP)  he!d ZXta. EWoplB, Oblobe,4-6. 2007- ESAP, Addis Ababa , 2  pp
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Uppsala, Sweden.
y '
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22, Legner, E.F. and T.W. Fisher, (198)0. Impact of Tilapia zillii (Gervais) on Polamogeton pecfinatus L Myriophyllum spicatum var. exalbescens Jepson, arid mosquito reproduction in lower Colorado desert irrigation canals. Acta Oecoiogica, Oecol. Applic. 1(1):3-14
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24   M.   Omer   Yousif,   M.   Kumar   Krishnankutty,   Abdul-fatah,   A.   Abdul-rahman (2014). Growth performance, teed efficiency and carcass composition of African catfish  Clarias  gariepinus  (Picess:  Clariidae)  fingerlings  fed  diets  composed  oi agricultural by-products. International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |, ISSN: 2220- 6555 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online), http://www.innspub.net. Vol. 4, No. 10, p. 276-284
25.   Marshall, B., Maes, M. (1995). Small water bodies and their Fisheries in southern Aliica. CIFA technical Paper Nopp Rome. FAO 1995, 68p
26.   Ministry of Agriculture (2011)'Tehery Development Program: Fish Resource Survey in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Agricultural Extension Directorate.
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I

Summery

Dabus Irrigation Project Fishery Development Study Summary

1. Introduction

2. Key Findings

3. Development Opportunities

4. Major Constraints

5. Proposed Interventions

6. Implementation Plan

7. Environmental Considerations