REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES - 5.6 SUSTAINABLE FISHING

1. REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES - 5.6 SUSTAINABLE
FISHING
Fishing industryor fisheries
Refers to the activity (activities) that involves establishment, development and exploitation
of different fishresources. This is carriedout in the water bodies both man made and natural.
Fishing has developedmuch in the world especiallyinthe temperate regions where water is
cool and the fishinggrounds are many. Fishing is well developed in the countries like
Norway, Japan, Canada, Russiaand other Africancountries like SouthAfrica, Namibia and
Angola. East African fishing industry is not well developed despite having many water
bodies and a longcoastal line.
Fishing is referredto as a robber industrybecause in many parts of the world catching is not
balanced by replenishingthe fish stock. This has been due to the introductionof faster and
more powerful fishingvessels and modernfishing equipment to meet the ever increasing
demand for more foodneededfor the burgeoningpopulation. Hence fishingis excessive
comparedto replacement by reproduction.
Conditions that favor the development offishing industry
1. 1. Cool climate with temperature lower than 20C. The cool water of temperate seas are
more suited for the breeding of fish than the tropical water. Valuable species like salmon,
cod, herring, haddock, and mackerel are found in the temperate seas.
2. 2. Availability of planktons. Planktons are used as food by fish and hence fish are plentiful
where there is a lot of plankton. Plankton flourishes under cool and shallow water and in the
presence of plentyof mineral salt.
3. 3. Physical environment along the coastal characterized by indentations provide ideal sites
for ports. Some of the greatest fishing ports of the world like St.John (New found land) and
Bergen(Norway) are found along the intendedcoastlines.
Types of fish
There are three categories of fish that are salt water fish, fresh water fish and anadromous
fish.
1. Salt-water fish
Include the fish species that live in the seas, oceans, and salty lakes, Herring, which is
most common in Norway, Ice-Land, Sweden, Japan and China is an example of salt
water fish.

2. Salt water fishcan be divided into;
1. a. Pelagic species. The species that live close to the surface water of the oceans and the seas.
They move in large shoals. The most common species are Herring and Mackerel found in the
Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of west Europe, Sardines found in the Mediterranean
sea. New England and North America. Anchovies small fish mainly caught off the coast of
Peru. Anchovies are used for making fish meal that is fed to animals and as fertilizer and
Menhaden found off the coast of North America. It accounts for 1/3 of total catch in USA.
Menhaden is used for fertilizers and animal feed. It has very high content of nitrates and
phosphorus .Others are pilchard.
2. b. Dermesal species. These are species found at the bottom of the seas and oceans. The
most important species include cod, which is a large fish of 1.5 meters long used for
extracting oil. It is mainly fished from the North sea off the coast of Norway and Iceland.
Other demises fish species are Tuna, Haddock, Hake, Snapper, group and Halibut. These are
fishedoff the coast of BritishColumbia.
2. FreshWater Fish;
These include the species that live in the lakes like Lake Tanganyika and Victoria,
Edward, Albert and Turkana, and rivers like Ugalla river, Rufiji and Kagera rivers. They
are not as important as salt water species and do not swim in shoals. Fresh water fishing
in Europe and USA is a part time occupation.
In USA it takes place in the great lakes (i.e Michigan, Huron, Superior, Erie and Ontario).
These are the most important inland fishing grounds. The species found are perch, pike,
trout and salmon. In Russia, Japan and China inland Fishing is important. Inland Fishing
in Africa takes place in the lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Lake Turkana
where Nile perchis fished, and Lake Naivasha.
3. Anadromous Fishing;
These are species spawn in rivers but spend their lifetime in oceans and seas. They later
return to rivers to spawn and die. The most common species include Salmon. This is most
fished in North America. Salmon travels in large numbers. Once fished it can be
conserved while fresh or sometimes smoked and canned. There are canning factories in
Canada (at Vancouver).
Fishing Methods usedinclude;

3. 1. a. Drifting in which the drift nets hang vertically like the table tennis. The method is used in
catching pelagic fish. The fish gills are caught in the mesh when the fish is trying to swim
across the drift net.
2. b. Trawling in which the trawl net is used. This is bag shaped net used in catching the
dermises fishas it is dragged by using the trawler.
3. c. Seining that involve the use of haul seine and purse seine. They have intermediate
features between drift net and trawler. Haul seine net looks like a drift net but is smaller and
the purse seine net looks like a trawl net but also smaller in size. The seine net is pulled to
surroundthe shoal of fish It is used by fishermeninsmall boats or by land based fishermen.
4. d. Lining in which lines fitted with hooks are use to catch fish. It is used where trawlers and
seine nets cannot be used especially where the sea floor is rugged. It is used for large fish
like tuna. Two types of line are used that is Hand-line (haul line) which is a line with a single
baited hook cast from the deck. It can be drawn from water when the float indicates that the
fish has been hooked. It is popular for spot fishing but uneconomical. Long lines is
associated with many hooks (500 to 5000) attached to it. It can be several kilometers towed
by dories or large streamer.
5. e. Whaling by the use of power fired harpoons which normally carry an explosive charge. It
is used for catchingwhales especiallyinJapan.
Other methods, which are used especially In East Africa are bows and arrows and spears
(but this method is in decline), The use of fish baskets and fish traps, scoop nets, cast nets
called Kitagala In lake Victoria, gill nets and the use of poisonous chemicals and dynamite as
it is being done along the coast. Most of traditional methods are destructive to the fish
species and their habitats.
FISHING IN NORWAY
Fishing industry is well developed in Norway and it takes place in the North Sea. It is leading
country in Europe. Fishing is done in the sea because fish farming inland is difficult due to
the harsh climate. The species commonly fishing are cold and herring. The development has
been due to the followingfactors;
1. 1. Presence of the continental shelf that provide shallow water and fish food (planktons). This
is far due to the sunlight penetration in the shallow water that encourages the growth of
planktons. The water do not exceeda depth of 185m (about 600ft).
2. 2. Long indentedcoastline, which provide fishinggrounds and shelteredharbors.

4. 3. 3. The North Atlantic Drift (the ocean current) which is warm has led to the favorable
conditions for fish industry development. The drift also brings and distributes food along the
coast.
4. 4. The need for raw material for oil making industries has encouragedthe fishing industry.
5. 5. Limited agricultural land, forest and mineral deposits have made people opt for fishing
activities. Some of the land is no longer productive.
6. 6. The high demand balanced diet in the urban areas has provided market for industry.
7. 7. Good transport and communication has also encouraged. For example there are advanced
ports like scavenger, Oslo, Moss, Trondheim, Alison, and Haguesund.
8. 8. The use of advanced fishing facilities like refrigerated cargo vessels for transporting to
other parts of the world. These have been a result of the use of advanced technology. Some
of the fishis exportedwhile frozento Britainfor fried- fishtrade.
9. 9. There has beenstronggovernment support on the fishingindustry.
10. Power availability especiallyHEP has stimulatedthe development of the fishingindustry.
11. Presence of wide variety of fish species like Capelin, cod, Herring, Brisling, Haddock,
Sprats, Mackerel, whale, and dogfish (rock salmon). Also there has been introduction of
exotic species, whichare commerciallymore desirable.
12. Capital to be invested in fisheries is readilyavailable.
13. The use of modern fishingmethods like trawling and drift netting.

5. Norwegianfishinggrounds
FISHING IN JAPAN
Japan is one of the three most important fishing countries in the world and its per capital
consumption of fish is the biggest in the world. Inshore fishing along the coast and
offshore fishing in the deep sea are taking place. Modern fishing vessels operate in the
Pacific Ocean. Fishing vessels are owned by large corporations. Most vessels are
refrigerated and have processing facilities. Whaling is also taking place and whaling is
the second largest whaling nation in the world. The species include Cod, herring and
salmon.
Factors that have facilitatedthe development ofFishing IndustryinJapan;
1. -The broad continental shelf of the North West pacific shallow water and the meeting of
warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents help to produce ideal conditions for the growth of
plankton. Hence bothpelagic and Dermesel fishare abundant.
2. -The presence of many inlets (indentations) which provide good breeding grounds for fish
and the development of fishing ports.

6. 3. -Traditionally, the Japanese have been traveling far in the sea or oceans hence they have
long experience inseafaring voyages. So this facilitatedthe fishingindustry.
4. -Pressure on agricultural resources has made Japan turn her attention to the fishing
industry.The land is mountainous and hence not good for agriculture.
5. -Modern industrial and technological development has extended to fishing industry. This has
made fishing industry become efficient and effective.
6. -Reliable market in the country and outside has encouraged the development of the fishing
industry. In Japan, fish is the great source of food. The ready market has been promoted by
good preservationand processingmethods.
7. -Availability of capital which was invested in the fishing industry, lead to great
developments.
8. -Banks and other institutions have been offering a financial support and technical advice in
the development of the fishing industry.
9. -The strong government support in establishing research centers for the development or
promotionof the fishingindustry.
10 -The presence of manyislands in Japan has ledto the existence of extensive fishinggrounds.
Limitations ofFishing IndustryinJapan;
1. Restrictions imposed on Japan to limit its area for fishing. Each territory identified its own
fishing grounds and there was to be no any interference from other countries. Formerly Japan
had greater freedom in fishing in the ocean but that freedom is no longer there. This has
impacts on Japan and has made Japan to put more emphasis on agriculture (Fish farming)
Aquaculture in Japan accounts for 1/10 of Japan’s fishing industry.
Factors that have stimulatedthe development ofFishfarming inJapan;
1. -Advanced technologyamong the people has contributedgreatly.
2. -Restrictions imposed on Japan on the use of the seawater have made people opt for fish
farming. Fishing is therefore restricted to certain distance from the land. So it cannot go very
far in the oceanin terms of fishing.
3. -Capital is available since the countryis economicallywell advanced.
4. -The government plan to reduce over fishing problem in the sea has encouraged the
development of fish farming.

7. 5. -The need to promote researchesonfishhas stimulatedthe development of the fishindustry.
6. -Easy availability of foodfor fish.
7. -Reliable market inthe countrysince the people use fishas the major source of food.

8. The seas around Japan and the PacificOceanare the fishing grounds ofJapan.
Importance of Fishing IndustryinNorwayand Japan;
1. -It has provided employment opportunities to people since other resources like minerals;
forests andland are limitedbothin Japan and Norway.
2. -It has stimulated the development of oil manufacturing industries since fish is used as raw
materials for that industry.
3. -It has encouraged the development of ship building industry both in Norway and Japan.
Hence the sea transport has improved.
4. -The fishindustry has also stimulatedthe development of HEP centers inthe countries.
Problems facingfishing industryinNorwayand Japan;
1) Over fishing due to over dependence on the fish rather than other resources like land,
minerals and forests, which are also limited, also over exploitation is caused by some

9. fishing methods that kill even unwanted species. Hence the number of species has
decreasedespeciallythe blue whale.
2) The introduction of new species to compete with the native species has been difficult
since the new species are not well used to the conditions in those countries.
3) Land reclamationcarriedout inthose countries has disturbedthe habitats.
4) Water pollution has affected the fish, some fish species die because of oil spill or
poisonous chemicals. Pollution with mercury has been a big problem in Japan
nowadays.
5) Competition from other nations which have also developed the same industry has
reducedthe market of fishfrom Norway and Japan.
6) Restrictions on the use of the sea water have also reduced the distance over which the
countries can fish. The international agreement insists that countries should stick to
their own fishingzones.
7) Poaching is another problem, which has led to the disappearance of some valuable
species.
8) Sometimes the breakdown of the machines leads to the decomposition of fishes when
being transportedor stored.
9) Strongstorm waves are encounteredwhen fishingin the deepsea water.
10)The local market is highly competitive and the external market is limited as other
countries are now involved in the fishingactivity.
FISHING IN CANADA
The annual output of Canadian fisheries is a little larger than that of Britain. Fisheries
were threatened by trawlers in 1970s and these to overfishing. The chief fish in Canada
include salmon, cod, lobsters, herring, haddock, scallops, halibut, flounders, sole, sardine,
and whitefish. Much of fish in Canada is exported due to small internal market caused by
small population. Fish is exported “wet” to USA and “dry” to Latin America and South
WesternEurope.
Fishing grounds inCanada are locatedintwo mainareas.

10. In the eastern Canada where there are fishing grounds, which extend for about 1600 km
(almost 1000 miles) from cape cod to new found land, off the coast of Canada. In the
western Canada fishing grounds are located in British Columbia on the pacific seaboard.
This smaller catches than the eastern coast. Herring, Salmon, Hake and crabs are the
main species. Halibut catches have declined sharply. Vancouver is the heart of the
western Canadian fishing industry. The fishing conservation methods are being
undertaken so as to maintain yields.
Also, there are inland fisheries in Canada. These produce salmon, trout, eel, and
whitefish, which are, caught in chief rivers and lakes e.g. River. Skeena, River Fraser,
great lakes and great lakes and the great slave lakes.
Factors for the success offishing industryinCanada;
1) The use of advanced technology, which has made people, use advanced methods like
trawling and fishingfleets inthe fishing process.
2) Wideningof the fishing areato deeper parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
3) Great number of fishand fish species, whichare fishedin large quantities.
4) Ready market outside for example the U.S.A while the internal market is not large
because of small population of the country.
5) Then poor soils and harsh climate in the northern parts of the country have made
people turn to the sea for fishingto sustain their livelihood.
6) The eastern fishing ground are located near the meeting of the warm Northern
Atlantic Drift and the cold Labrador current which results in the rapid growth of the
plankton and hence water are richin fish.
Fishing is both inshore and offshore, with the main catch being cod, haddock, and
sardines. The inshore fishing is carried out by small boats called dories while the offshore
fishing which centers on Holifax, st. John and Lunenburg, is undertaken by large vessels
which stay at sea up to three weeks.
Importance of fishing industryinCanada
1) It has createdemployment opportunitiesinthe country.

11. 2) It is one of the sources of income to the country and hence it contributes to the
generationof the government revenue and individual income.
3) It has encouraged the development of the industries by providing capital and raw
materials for making fertilizers andmargarine.
4) It has also stimulated the development of transport and communication. Some ports
have developedas fishing ports, which are used to exportingfishto other countries.
5) Some towns have grown due to the fishing industries especially along the coastal
areas.
6) It has also led to the development of tourism in the country. Some tourists go for
sport fishingactivities as part of the entertainment.
7) It is a source of food, which countries a lot of protein necessary for people’s health
and growth.
Problems facingthe fishing industryinCanada;
These include overfishing, diseases, which attack fish, water pollution, due to wastes
from industries and small internal markets due to a small population.
FISHING IN RUSSIA
Russia is continually expanding its sea fisheries. It has done so by excluding Japan fleets
on the Pacific border. The agreement for high sea fisheries of the Northwest Pacific
Ocean was concludedwith Japan to restrict the freedom of openwater fishing.
The bulk of the catch in Russia is made up of salmon from the Kuriles, Sakhalin, and
Kamchatka. Other fish caught include pollack, tuna, sardine, cod, mackerel, sharks and
whales. Russiais the leading whaling nation in the world followedby a Japan.
Large quantities of fresh water fish including sturgeon, eels, carps, trout and salmon are
also caught in the Siberian rivers and Caspian sea. The expansion of the Russian fishing
has often been to the disadvantage of the longer established fishing nations, especially
Norway.
The success inthe fishing industryinRussiahas been due to:
1) The governments drive on the increasedfishoutput by expanding the fishingarea.

12. 2) Availability of many fishvarieties as a result of goodcool waters in the ocean.
3) Ready market within and outside the country.
4) The use of advanced technologyin the fishing process
5) Restrictionagainst interferencefrom other nations like Japan and Norway.
FISHING IN EAST AFRICA
It has both marine and fresh water fishing activities. Some of fish species found in East
Africa are Nile perch, Tilapia, Marlin, Limnothrissa (dagga), cod haddock, sole, plaice,
mullet, crustacean, prawns, eel fishand trout.
Problems facingthe fishing industryineast Africa
Despite many water bodies and a long coastal strip in East Africa has not managed to
develop advanced fishing industry. This has beendue to the followingreasons.
1) Poor method of fishing because of low level of technology. Some of the methods used
like poisonous chemicals and dynamite are destructive to the fish species and their
habitats. Others do not give good catch since they are too simple such as hand lines and
baskets.
2) The largest number of fishermen does not have capital to invest in the more advanced
methodof fishing.
3) The fishermen also do not cooperate in order to be assisted in terms of advice and
financial support.
4) The tropical waters are too saline and of high temperature hence they discourage high
fishreproduction. The fishalso is of poor quality and unpalatable due to this aspect.
5) The continental is narrow limitingthe number of fishgrounds in East Africa.
6) There is low internal market due to poverty and external market because of stiff
competitionposedby other countries.
7) The volume fluctuationinthe water bodies has handicapped the industry.

13. 8) Poor researchactivities onthe fishresources have beenanother problem.
9) Restriction by the environmentalists who discourage the development of more fish
projects claimingthat they cause destructionof forest andwater pollution.
10) Inadequate infrastructure is also limiting the industry. There are poor roads, poor storage
facilities e.t.c.
11) Water borne diseases, which affect both the fisherman and the fish, have led to the
dwindling of the fish industry.
12) Poor government support onthe industry.
13) High populationhas acceleratedoverfishingand illegal fishing in protectedareas
14) The fishing industry is affected by dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippopotamus,
which attack the fishermenand eat fish.
15) The introduction of new species has led to the disappearance of native species in the
lakes. For example Nile perch in the Lake Victoria has led to the decrease of tilapia since
they feedon them.
16) Water pollution of water as a result of waste disposal and oil spills prevent oxygen from
gettinginto the water body and hot water cause abrupt rise intemperature.
17) Poor power supply.
Measures to solve the problemsfacing the fishing industryineast Africa
1) Improvement in the processing and storage methods like the use of refrigerators. Also
smoking plants for fish preservation have been introduced in Zanzibar and the fish
freezingcenter inKigoma.
2) Fishermen have been encouraged to form cooperatives so that they can be assisted. The
government of Tanzania for example is encouraging the people to cooperate so that they
can be assistedeasilyinterms of educationand financial assistance.
3) Training of the fisheriesofficershas been initiated.
4) There is the use of mass media programs to educate the people on how to conserve fish
resources.

14. 5) There should be control of pollution and this should be associated with strict monitoring
system.
6) Restockingthe over-fishedgroundespeciallyat the coast of East Africa.
7) Fish farming (aquaculture) should be expanded and more fish hatcheries have to be
established.
8) There should be intensification of research on fisheries. This is important for
understanding the habitats and the feeding habits of the fish as well as getting data on the
salinityof the ocean.
FISHING FARMING IN EAST AFRICA
Fish farming or aqua culture is the practice of rearing fish of certain selected species, in the
ponds or tanks at home or near homesteads. These are constructed near large water bodies
like lakes and rivers.
In Kenya there are estimated to be some 30,000 fish ponds in western Kenya alone, but of
these 3000 are in operation. Fish farming is supported by hatcheries where farmers buy the
fingerlings.
Fish farming needs careful attention. The fish must be well fed and the pond kept clean. In
Kenya most of the fish farms and hatcheries are owned and run by individuals, but some
companies are also involved.
Advantages of fishfarming;
1) It ensures an increasedand constant supply of fishin the country.
2) It is also a source of income since the fish can be sold both within the country and
outside the country.
3) The idle land is utilizedand hence is made productive.
4) It solves the problem of overfishingin the large water bodies.
5) The products are of good size and quality due to careful attention given to the fish by the
farmers.

15. 6) There are no much problems of water pollutionsince the ponds are kept clean.
7) Fishfarming can encourage the development of trade and tourism.
General importanceoffishing industryto the respective countries
1) It provides foodas a source of protein.
2) Provides foreigncurrencywhen exported.
3) It contributes to the national income of the respective country.
4) Fishing helps the country to diversify their economy instead of having mono-economy,
which is dangerous mono- economy involves the state in which the country depends on
only one economic activity.
5) It provides employment to the people.
6) It encourages the development of industries since it acts as a source of raw materials and
capital.
7) It promotes the living standard of the people by having balanced diet and improving the
supply of social services.
8) Fishing leads to the development of tourism especiallywhensport fishingis established.
General problemsfacing the fishing industry
1) Overfishing because of the increased number of population and the use of tools, which
kill fish indiscriminately.
2) Water pollution due to the discharge of industrial wastes into the oceans and other water
bodies. Japan is facing the problem of concentration of mercury in its fishing ground due
to industrial discharge.
3) Many developing countries still use inefficient traditional methods hence the annual
catchis low.

16. 4) Developing countries are also plagued by the problem of poor transport and
communication, poor facilitiesfor preservationand processingetc.
5) There is also a problem of low or inadequate capital for investment.
Management and conservationmeasures
1) People should stop fishing immature fish and hence good fishing facilities should be
introducedto achieve the goal.
2) Water bodies should be protected from pollution. People should not discharge harmful
wastes into the ocean or other water bodies since they can cause death of fish and other
organisms.
3) The over fished water bodies should be restocked in order to maintain the fishing
activities.
4) The use of artificial fertilization of eggs should be encouraged in order to promote
fishingactivities.
5) Encouraging fish farming in the country in order to avoid the problem of overfishing and
improve the supply of goodquality fish.
6) More researches should be organized in order to have a profound knowledge on fish and
fishfarming and general conservationtechniques.
7) There should be an international agreement on fisheries and the boundaries of the fishing
regions shouldbe identifiedto avoid interference andmismanagement.
8) Farmers or fishermen should be educated on better fishing methods so as to attain
sustainable fishing techniques.