Assessing the contribution of fishery resources to the livelihood of communities along Victoria Nile; a case of Namasagali sub county, Kamuli district.

Abstract

The study was about assessing. the contribution of fishery resources on the livelihood of communities at Victoria Nile, Namasagali Sub-County Kamuli district. Study objectives were to assess the socio-economic contribution of the fishery to the community of Namasagali Sub-county to identify the challenges faced by fish resource users at the Victoria Nile, Namasagali sub-county, to identify whether or not Victoria Nile fish stock is under threat of extinction from community perception (Namasagali sub county). A cross sectional study was used which involved use of questionnaires covering 40 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS 16. Study findings indicated that: the socio economic contribution of the fishery is basically through provision of income, food and employment. The study also indicated that reduced resource catch is the major challenge which fisheries resource users are encountering which shows that the stocks are reducing due to poor fishing gears accompanied with over fishing and indiscriminate fishing of fish species thus deterioration in socio economic contribution of fishery resources to the livelihoods of communities hence posing a need to address such challenges and finally, the study indicated that there is a gender and occupational imbalance in fisheries which mostly neglects women and fish traders respectively. In Namasagali according to the artisan fishermen in the community declines are realized through the decline in the fish catch per day, long hours of fishing and perhaps a decline in its contribution to the fishermen. In conclusion, it clear that the fisheries resources contribute to the livelihoods of people through provision of food, income and employment opportunities. However, the increasing demand for the resource has threatened fish stocks and fish species with extinction due to over exploitation. The researcher recommends that, for an increase in the socio economic contribution of the fishery, value additional activities should be encouraged for example processing of fish waste can be collected to generate fish meal and animal feeds, fish fat for generating fish oil which is good for health improvements. These activities among others provide employment, increasing people's income and improving livelihood of the community.