Integration Of Ethno-Fishery Into Modern Fisheries Management In Mwanza Region Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This thesis presents results of a study that examined local indigenous knowledge and traditional management practices in Kayenze ward in Ilemela, Mwanza Region.The general objective of the study was to investigate and propose ways to integrate ethno-fishery knowledge into modern fisheries management. More specifically the study examines the extent to which local fishers utilize their knowledge, attitudes and skills in fisheries management. Further the study assesses issues which negatively affect local fishers‟ actions in fisheries. The study also examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in fisheries management and lastly it assesses Indigenous Knowledge best practices which can be incorporated into modern fisheries management. A combination of household questionnaires, semi structured interviews with key informants and focus group discussions were used to collect data for the study. The study also reviewed other scientific studies done in the area to validate the survey results. Multinomial regression analysis was used to determine the variables which were important in explaining the amount of variation among respondents on issues partaining to knowledge on identification of plant and animal resources used in fishing activities, attitudes towards conservation of fish resources and their habitats and skills of respondents on making and/or repairing the fishing gadgets. The community in Kayenze have knowledge of various plant and animal resources and their use in fisheries management. In addition, they are able to score the levels of abundance of each species that are directly used in fishing operations. The findings suggest that positive attitude correlates with age. The data suggest that the adult and elders having engaged in fishing activities for many years thus have acquired knowledge for resource conservation and hence have positive attitude. Various skills were observed to follow age categories. Youth were v able to use modern technologies such as welding operation. Adult and elders have skills in tradition, making gadgets like ropes, weaving, knitting and carpentry. The study found that Kayenze inhabitants have developed and maintained some local ecological knowledge and practices that can have significant implications in scientific studies and on the management of Lake Victoria resources. The practices include restricted cutting of water plants in the lake, access and fishing in sacred sites and conservation of water reeds. These traditional practices encouraged regeneration and sustainable utilisation of fish. Local people at Kayenze have sets of seasons for fishing operations observed by the community. This fishing tradition controls fishing activities, preventing fishing during harvest when there is plenty of food and allows fishing activities at times of critical need of fish. There is clear link between Indigenous knowledge and modern scientific fisheries practices. Also the methods used must safeguard the sustainability of fisheries and the general biodiversity. This shall ensure sustainable community livelihoods. Sustained production of fish stocks should give local people greater opportunities to generate incomes hence reducing levels of poverty in the Victoria Basin. The incorporation of these into fisheries work can lead to more informed, equitable and effective policy and management practices. This study provides recommendations from this and other studies