Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on livelihood of fishing community around Lake Tana, Ethiopia

Abstract

Fisheries are one of livelihood strategies that have contributed significantly to the improvement of life quality in developing countries. However, anthropogenic and climate change poses new challenges to the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture systems. This study aimed: 1) to assess the main anthropogenic activities, 2) to identify climate change trend and its impact on the fishers in the area of study, and 3) to identify major problems in the fishery in order to recommend means of intervention for better resource utilization. Selection of the fishers was conducted using a three stages sampling technique. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between November 2013 and September 2014. Descriptive statistics such as; frequency, mean, percentage, standard deviations , t-test and chi-square test were used to summarize and compare the information. Most of the selected households participate seasonally and part time in the fishery. The variety of fish species and fish production showed a declining trend. In the area of study main anthropogenic activities take place around the lake, with the most important being the deposition of waste, fishing in breeding season and area, free and over grazing, deterioration of wetlands/buffering zones, recession agriculture, agricultural influents, and the widely used monofilament gillnet. Hence, benefits from the lake and reservoir are not as usual due ever increasing users and depletion of the resources. The study presents the fluctuation of rainfall, temperature, and humidity over the years. A 3.1°C increment was found in mean maximum temperature within 22 years. Multiple uses of the lake watershed and being a common ground threatened the resources which result in 'tragedy of the commons'. Citation: Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al. " Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on livelihood of fishing community around Lake Tana, Ethiopia ". EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557. Ethiopia is a landlocked country and depends on its inland water bodies for fish supply for its population. The country's water bodies have a surface area estimated at 7334 km 2 of major lakes and reservoirs, and 275 km 2 of small water bodies with 7185 km of rivers within the country [1]. Fisheries are one of livelihood strategies that have contributed much to people in developing countries. It is one of the vital strategies for the poor to achieve food, income and other social benefits. For instance, it serves as an important source of diet for over one billion people and provides employment for about 38 million people around the world [2]. Many capture fisheries worldwide have declined sharply in recent decades or have already collapsed from overfishing, and major fishing grounds are concentrated in zones threatened by pollution, the mismanagement of freshwater, and the habitat and coastal zone modification. Climate changes may affect fisheries and aquaculture directly by influencing fish stocks and the global supply of fish for consumption [3].

Full text

AGRICULTURE
Research Article
Erkie Asmare1*, Sewmehon Demissie2, Dereje Tewabe1 and Mihret Endalew1
1Bahir-Dar Fisheries and Other Aquatic Life Research Center, Ethiopia
2Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia
Received: February 06, 2016; Published: February 23, 2016
*Corresponding Author:
Erkie Asmare Beyene, Bahir-Dar Fisheries and Other Aquatic Life Research Center, Ethiopia.
          
community around Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Abstract
   -
 


    
collected between November 2013 and September 2014. Descriptive statistics such as; frequency, mean, percentage, standard devia-
tions, t-test and chi-square test were used to summarize and compare the information. Most of the selected households participate



      
    -
ment was found in mean maximum temperature within 22 years. Multiple uses of the lake watershed and being a common ground
threatened the resources which result in ‘tragedy of the commons’.
Keywords:
Anthropogenic activity; Climate change; Lake Fishery
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
-
ies have a surface area estimated at 7334 km2 of major lakes and reservoirs, and 275 km2 of small water bodies with 7185 km of rivers
within the country [1].
Fisheries are one of livelihood strategies that have contributed much to people in developing countries. It is one of the vital strategies
 
people and provides employment for about 38 million people around the world [2].
      
  
  
consumption [3].
Introduction
Cronicon
OPEN ACCESS


Ethiopia


of animal protein [3].
 
order to formulate focused and targeted interventions to sustain the life of the lakes and reservoir by maximizing its usability. Thus, the


Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, is Ethiopia’s largest lake; it probably was formed during late Pliocene or early Pleistocene
times. It now covers an area of about 3150 km2 and has an average depth of 8 m, with a maximum of 14 m. It is situated at an altitude of
1830 m and can be characterized as oligo-mesotrophic Lake [4]. Several large and small rivers including Gumara, Ribb, Megech, Gilgel

The climate around Lake Tana is characterized by four seasons: 1) a main-rainy season with heavy rains during June-August, 2) a dry
season during December-February, 3) a pre-rainy season during March-May and 4) a post-rainy season during September-November.

and noug are the main crops growing in the study area. The mean annual rainfall of the lake region varies from 74.6 mm to 163.3 mm
with a mean value of 166.6mm. The long term rainfall distribution data (from 1982 to 2014) shows that most of rain occurs starting


549
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
Material and Methods
Description of the Study Area
Methods of Data Collection

preparing structured questionnaire, direct observation, focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview, and stakeholder consul-


Figure 1: Mean monthly rainfall of Lake Tana from year 1982 to 2014 taken from
Bahir-Dar meteorology station, 2015.


Ethiopia
550
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
The respondents’ religion falls under Orthodox and Muslim, with the 63.8% being Orthodox and the rest Muslims. This reveals that

    
gives it an advantage over beef”.
The educational status of the respondents can be described as all can write and read. Only 12.7% were illiterate. This indicates that
-
ation (Table 1).
The main means of income in the area of study was agriculture (cropping). Of the total households, 37.9% of them participate mainly

Within ten districts that bound up with the Lake Tana, nine representative districts were purposely chosen. Both primary and sec-
ondary data has been collected from about forty (out of 54) kebeles surrounding Lake Tana. A three-stage sampling technique was fol-


respondents were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire and checklist.
The collected data was analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean,
  -
crete variables respectively) were used to summarize and compare the information by using SPSS version 20 software. Non-parametric
     
analyzed using chart.
  
ways. The age structure of the sample household’s showed an average of 32.9 years. This implies that most of the respondents have had

mainly as an occupation for men, while the post harvest activities seem to be addressed in common with women. Marital status of the
respondents showed that 74.5% of the respondents were married and 21.8% were single. Thus, majority of the respondents were bear-

Sampling Procedures
Data Analysis
Demographic characteristics of sample households
Results and Discussion
Religion Frequency % Marital
status
Frequency % Education Frequency %
Orthodox 37 63.8 single 12 21.8 Illiterate 7 12.7
Muslim 21 36.2 married 41 74.5 Able write and
read
16 29.1
Total 58 100 divorce 2 3.7 Grade 5-10 29 52.8
total 55 100 Above grade 10 3 5.5
Total 55 100
Table 1: Demographic characteristics of the respondents.


Ethiopia
551
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.

and targets mainly the tasty Oreochromis niloticus-


respondents participate in a seasonal (58.2%) and part time (23.6%) basis.
The household uses their catches for both home consumption and selling to generating income by at the nearby local market. Oreo-
chromis niloticus (84.8%), Labeobarbus intermedius (10.9%), and Clarias gariepinus 
Clarias gariepinus 
to year; due to increase in knowledge of the respondents about its nutritional value, the number of consumers (population), export
market to Sudan and high price of substitute goods.

        

is available and their breeding ground.
Fishing equipments used and level of participation
Consumption and Demand For Fish
Means of livelihood Frequency Percent
agriculture(cropping) 29 50.0
Livestock rearing 1 1.7
 22 37.9
agriculture(crop), animal

4 6.9
agriculture(crop), animal
rearing
2 3.4
Total 58 100.0
Table 2: Income source of the respondents.
Figure 2: Fishing boat type.


Ethiopia
552
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
Socio-Economic Aspects of Fisheries in the Study Area


-
cessing and marketing and job opportunity.






-

gear.
Figure 3: 

compared to costs
Frequency Percent
Very good 21 77.4
Good 16 22.6
Total 37 100.0
Table 3: 
Table 4: 
 Frequency Percent
 20 35.7
Enhance income level 32 57.1
No change 4 7.1
Total 56 100.0

553
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.

Ethiopia
Major Threats for the Fisheries of Lake Tana
Temperature, Rainfall and Humidity Trend Over 30 Years
 

  
-





rainfall, direction of wind, relative humidity and trend of temperature. The meteorological data also shows that mean annual rainfall

to decrease to a minimum of 89.7 mm in 1994 and starts to increase to 142.6 mm in 2014. These show mean annual rainfall in 2014
is lower by 20.7 mm from the maximum amount in 1991 and higher than the minimum amount of mean annual rainfall in 1982 by 68
mm.
Regarding the anthropogenic activities on the other hand, the following points were observed: encroachment of the wetlands for
cultivation (recession agriculture) of local variety of teff (Eragrostis tef), chickpea, grass pea and maize using residual moisture at the
-

              
surrounding the lake which sewage untreated wastes directly to the lake. The wetland is communally used but no responsible body to
manage such problems. Multiple uses of the lake watershed threatened the resources.
Figure 4: Mean annual rainfall taken from Bahir-Dar meteorology station, 2015.
The mean maximum annual temperature shows increasing trend especially after 2009. The mean maximum temperature was
       
-
ment in mean maximum temperature within 22 years and variability in the rainfall, temperature, and humidity in the study area is a
common phenomenon.

554
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.

Ethiopia
Trend of Fish Production and Species Composition
Consequence of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities
 

production of target species; shifts in distribution of macrophyte, invertebrates, and other aquatic animals. Fishers were asked about
the severity of the impacts from climate change and anthropogenic activities, and 51.4% of the respondents replied that the severity of
the impact was medium. On the other hand, 42.9% of the respondents said the impact is severe while the remaining said it is low and

-
 


Figure 5: Mean annual maximum temperature taken from Bahir-Dar meteorology station, 2015.
Figure 6: 


Ethiopia
555
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
Regarding the water body, water quality problem is a big issue; especially due to algal blooming and water hyacinth infestation in
Oreochromis niloticus 

sites. According to the group discussion result, the main reasons for deterioration are: drought, degradation of wetlands, draining of
lakes for recession agriculture, lack of natural resource conservation on the upper catchment, and expansion of invasive water weeds.
Trend of Water Volume and Aquatic Species
-

Figure 7: 
and Aytegeb A., 2013.
Figure 8: Extent of Shesher and Welala wetlands in 1987 (a) and in 2008 (b) Picture
taken from Tewabe D. (2014).
A B


Ethiopia
556
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.
Shesher and Welela wetlands consists the main part of Lake Tana, but the drastic change in the areas of Shesher and Welala wet-

1557 and 298 hectares, respectively. In 2008 the surface area of Shesher shrunk to 136 hectares (91% shrinkage) and Welala shrunk to
159 hectares (47% shrinkage) as shown in Figure 8. These wetlands are shrinking at an alarming rate, mainly because of unsustainable
farming practices by the local inhabitants. The local farmers drain the water from these wetlands to expand their farmland and pump
water for irrigation until dried up totally.
-


-

processing are executed by both men and women. However caring child, preparing food, fetching water and fuel wood, cleaning house,
shopping, washing close and utensils, grinding are mainly tasks of women [8,9].
Recession agriculture in the study area is the most commonly practiced agricultural activity. When the water level is reduced the
farmers sow their crop after they clear some weeds without ploughing. Unlike dry land cropping, sowing crop in this area is not time
restricted rather they cultivate teff (Eragrostis tef), and other cash crops when the lake become shirked each day.
Gender Division of Work in the Fishery
Figure 9: Dried area of Shesher wetland and Furrow irrigation Picture taken from: Tewabe D. (2014).
Figure 10: 


Ethiopia
557
Citation:
Erkie Asmare Beyene., et al
around Lake Tana, Ethiopia”. EC Agriculture 3.1 (2016): 548-557.

    -
 

depletion of the resources. Multiple uses of the lake watershed and being a common ground might result in ‘tragedy of the commons’.
The water Lake is communally used but no responsible body to manage such problems. Communities’ awareness about the short and
long term impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities is still limited.


Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI) to conduct this research is also
very much appreciated. We also acknowledge Ethiopian meteorological agency Bahir-Dar branch for their meteorological data.
  
         

about the short and long term impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities. Fill knowledge gaps on mitigation and adapta-
tion mechanisms for climate change. Diversify livelihood strategy for risk averting.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Acknowledgment
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