The socio-economic impact of cage fish farming to the community around Lake Victoria :

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic impact of cage fish farming to the people in the community around Lake Victoria: a case study of Rippon landing site in Jinja district. This was done by looking at the community' s involvement in cage fish farming. The research involved cross sectional designs that included different respondents at different time over one topic of study. This enabled the researcher to capture information basing on the level of income and the perception towards cage fish farming. The researcher also used the qualitative research approach that involved the use of questionnaires and direct observation, analysis and presentation. A selected sample of 71 respondents was used to provide information about the study and data analysis was done using excel then imported to SPSS (version 16). that enabled information of frequency tables. Research findings indicated that 45.1% of the respondents were involved in fish trading, 31% in other business, 16.9% in fish farming and 7% in other farming. This shows that fishing activity dominates the landing site due to the presence of Lake Victoria. At the same time, all the respondents named cage fish farming as the most common fish farming method around Lake Victoria and Nile tilapia dominating the species reared. The findings also indicated that 73% of the respondents were involved in cage fish farming and 27% were not involved in cage fish farming. This shows that most. people at the landing site are benefiting from cage fish farming through employment, food, income, infrastructural development, skill acquisition and expansion of other businesses. The findings on the problems affecting cage fish farming included; insecurity, pests and diseases, accidents, feeding difficulties, predation, high mortality, harsh climate and its harmful effects included e water and air pollution, reduced fishing grounds for fishermen resulting into conflicts, and interference with water transport.