The fishing Industry of Uganda

Abstract

The: role; of fishing in the: Uganda economy eann of be: underestimated. It offers: employment and incomes-to thousands of fishermen either a&gear' owners or labourers, and thousands of others are: engaged in fish distribution mainly as dealers but also as: the1.r employees. Furthennore, it is an important source of food. It produce~ the fish necessary for domestic c-onsumption. During the 1970's there Waa 'expansion in the market demand for fish. This increase in market demanddid not, however, induce a corresponding increase in fish production. Shortages were experienced in the fish market and prices; continued to rise. This study is directed at analyzing tha: fishing industry with a view to: identifying the factors that constrained output in the 1970's and to determine how output could now be expanded to meet the increased market demand. The main findings of this study are that production has been '1 ' constrained mainly by the unavailability and high costs of fishing gear, particularly nets. Fish distribution has been hindered by lack of capital and poor transportation and storaga facilities. Output in the industry can, therefore, be raised by making more neta available to producer~. An increase of up to about 3Q% in the quantity of nets is possible before' the problem of overfishing sets in. Other measures include increasing fish fanning, availing fish dealers with credit facilities, and providing them with better transportation and storage facilities-.