| dc.description.abstract | MABIRA RICHARD (2009-M092-20019)
Fisheries Management Approaches and Sustainable Fishing in Uganda: A Case of Community-Based Management Approach under Beach Management Unit at Zengebe Fish Landing Site, Lake Kyoga.
The study was carried out in Nakasongola district from Zengebe landing site located on Lake Kyoga. The study investigated the extent to which the Beach Management Committee (BMC) at Zengebe landing site has played its role towards the management and development of the fisheries sector in Uganda. The specific objectives were, to assess the level of community awareness created by the BMC in the process of managing and developing the fisheries sector in Uganda; to investigate the extent to which the BMC has formulated and enforced byelaws in the process of managing fisheries at Zengebe landing site; to document the extent to which the BMC has arbitrated fisheries conflicts as a means of managing at Zengebe landing site; and to establish the challenges the BMC faces in the process of managing fisheries at Zengebe landing site. The study applied a case study design and a sample size of 150 respondents was used. Both primary and secondary methods were applied, which included; in-depth interviews, a self-administered questionnaire and observation, while the instruments used included interview guides, observation guide and a self-administered questionnaire. The qualitative data generated were edited, coded and themes developed following the study objectives and the results were later analysed. The study revealed that; though fishers share some commonalities, they are not homogeneous due to the varying amount of information especially regarding fisheries management. The study further indicated that fishing is mostly conducted by people aged between 18 and 60 years as this is when one is energetic enough to afford fishing. The findings also suggest that fishing is dominated by 69 males, the less and/or non-educated people for deriving a livelihood since they cannot get formal employment. Information on several issues is collected and disseminated by the BMC and used by the fishers and, hence, resulting into community awareness among fishers. The BMC has scored highest in the field of byelaws formulation and enforcement because it has provided a legal framework on most aspects that negatively affect the fisheries sector. Most respondents said that the BMC to a great extent successfully mediated fisheries conflicts which greatly led to the streamlining of the management of the fishing industry. The study further revealed that the BMC faces the challenges such as: lack of adequate resources, some fishers were doubtful of their level of confidentiality with regard to information, and lack of adequate skills and expertise However, important to note is that the BMC has always addressed these challenges. Finally, the study recommends several measures including; packaging policies, formulating and enforcing regulations, formulating approaches to fisheries conflicts arbitration and other management options that address these issues at local, national and international level and provision of scientific information and data to guide management decisions. Creating a clear and unambiguous understanding of the roles and functions of BMCs by all parties; changing the fisheries management style through integrating BMC management approach with Communal Area Management Programme (CAMP) to strengthen the current fisheries management under the BMC-CAMP management arrangement; intensifying extension in order to get the support of fishers not through coercion; and increasing channels of communication to include radios, phones, newspapers, magazines, and newsletters, for enhancing a nation-wide mechanism for fisher communities to access and utilise information regarding national and local management and development, among others.
Key Words: Fisheries Management Approaches, Sustainable Fishing, Beach, Lake Kyoga | en_US |
