GEOGRAPHY

FIELD PROJECT REPORT

FISH farming
By

Examination number
__________________

School

© ECZ 2021

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to my supervisor for his guidance and

support throughout the process of this field report.

Secondly, I am indebted to thank my other family and parents for their support and financial

assistance for me to carry out this project successfully. Their efforts, love and prayers have

significantly contributed to this work.

May God bless them all!

(i)

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 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my father, mother, sister and my little brother for their tireless

support and daily prayers which made me to accomplish this work successfully.

(ii)

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknolwledgement................................................................................................................... i

Dedication............ ................................................................................................................... ii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background of study........................................................................................................... 6

1.1 Location of the study area.................................................................................................. 7
1.2 Aim .................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Objectives............................................................................................................................ 8

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Methodology.......................................................................................................................9

2.1 Sampling techniques...........................................................................................................9

2.2 Data collection....................................................................................................................9

2.3 Instrumentation...................................................................................................................9

2.4 Data Analysis......................................................................................................................9

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Data presentation...........................................................................................................10-11

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................12-15

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion..........................................................................................................................16

5.1 Recommendations..............................................................................................................16

CHAPTER SIX

6.0 Evaluation .........................................................................................................................17

[Link] of the study.......................................................................................................17
[Link]/Appendices.................................................................................................18-20

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 TITLE OF THE REPORT

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

FISH FARMING IN MPULUNGU DISTRICT

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background to the study

Zambia's rich endowment of water resources that provides the foundations for supporting
significant economic growth and development through fishing. The water sources, including
rivers, lakes, swamps, flood plains and streams and many more. However, fish stocks in
rivers do not meet the demand of fish on the market and recently there has been a decline or
collapse of fish stocks and this has been attributed to the allegedly detrimental effects of
various fishing methods. Traditional methods of fishing are not designed to be selective to
both not target fish sizes like the drag nets do and hence do not allow the escape of very small
juvenile fish to ensure a plentiful fish stock to be sustainably utilized throughout the year.
This has resulted in problems with declining fish populations from overfishing. There are
other various reasons that have led to the decline of fish stocks such as the people’s attitudes,
drought, population increase and use of very small mesh nets for fishing i.e. mosquito nets,
use of various unorthodox materials as fishing nets such as shade cloth and even bed sheets,
poisons, explosives and many more. The various attempts to regulate fishing effort have often
proved to be fairly ineffective many local fisheries continue to use poor methods of fishing
thus some farmers venture into fish farming.

Fish farming may range from ‘backyard’ subsistence ponds to large scale industrial
enterprises. In extensive fish farming, economic and labour inputs are usually low. Natural
food production plays a very important role, and the system’s productivity is relatively low.
Fertiliser may be used to increase fertility and thus fish production. In Semi-intensive fish
farming requires a moderate level of inputs and fish production is increased by the use of
fertiliser and/or supplementary feeding. This means higher labour and feed costs, but higher
fish yields usually more than compensate for this. Fish farming involves a high level of inputs
and stocking the ponds with as many fish as possible. The fish are fed supplementary feed,
while natural food production plays a minor role. In this system, difficult management
problems can arise caused by high fish stocking densities (increased susceptibility to diseases
and dissolved oxygen shortage). The high production costs force one to fetch a high market
price in order to make the fish farm economically feasible. Fish farming has some
advantages of which include creation of employment, source of proteins, high fish yields and
maintenance of fish populations. However, fish farming is expensive to set up and contributes
to water pollution. This project looks at the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming
Mpulungu District.

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1.2 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA

This project was undertaken in Mpulungu District. Mpulungu is a town in the Northern
Province of Zambia, at the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika. From Mpulungu, boats reach
DR Congo, Tanzania and Burundi. The MV Liemba ferry sails from Mpulungu to Kasanga
and Kigoma in western Tanzania, with connections from there to Bujumbura. Mpulungu is
also a fishing port and lies at the end of the old Great North Road.

SKETCH MAP OF LOCATION OF MPULUNGU DISTRICT

Source: Google Maps @ 2021

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Aim of the study

The aim of this study is to find out the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming in
Mpulungu District

Objectives

 To find out the economic benefits of fish farming in Mpulungu District.

 To find out the disadvantages of fish farming in Mpulungu District.

 To assess how poor fishing methods contribute to declining levels of fish stocks in
rivers.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research
instruments that were used in the collection of data were questionnaire and interview
schedules alongside with observation.

[Link] TECHNIQUES

A random sampling technique was used to choose the people to be interviewed in this project
report. The study site was observed and Interviews guides and questionnaires were used to
collect data from the 10 random selected fish farmers of Mpulungu District

2.2 DATA COLLECTION

Secondary sources from books and primary data sources were used in the collection of data.
The researcher also visited the areas under study to collect data using questionnaires and
interview guides as well as through observations on the areas under study.

2.3 INSTRUMENTATION

The study utilized a number of instruments which include the smart phones, interview
question guide, observation sheets, pens and note books. The pen, pencils and notes books
were used in jotting downs data and sketching of the townships. Smart phones were used in
taking photos, showing campus directions and used for time checking. Observation sheets
and questionnaires were used to indicate comments on sub-themes.

2.4 DATA ANALYSIS

Much of the collected data was qualitative and quantitative and thus it was first summarized
and sorted then analysed using pie charts, tables and bar graphs.

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 CHAPTER THREE

DATA COLLECTION

3.1 Table showing estimates of economic benefits of fish in Mpulungu

IMPORTANCE OF FISH PERCENTAGE %

EMPLOYMENT 38%
SOURCE OF INCOME 14%
STIMULANT TO OTHER INDUSTRIS EG BOAT/NET 5%
MAKING
SOURCE OF PROTEIN 19%
LEADS TO INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT EG 10%
ROADS
SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE- EXPORT/IMPORT 19%

3.1.1. Pie Chart showing importance of fishing

IMPORTANCE OF FISHING

Promotes
Industries
5% Protein
Income 18%
14%

Infrastructure
dev…

Employment Forex
36% 18%

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 3.2 Table showing respondents from fishermen on the methods of fishing used

METHODS OF FISHING
 NETS
 CANOE
 SPEARS
 MOSQUITO NETS
 MOTOR POWERED BOATS
 POISONS
 EXPLOSIVES

3.2.1 Chart showing the methods of fishing in Mpulungu District

Nets

Canoes
Fishing Baskets

METHODS OF FISHING

Spears & hooks Poisons

Sacks, cloths Explosives

Mosquito nets

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3.3 Declining levels of fish stocks in rivers over the past 5 years

YEARS NUMBER OF FISH STOCK (IN PERCENTAGE %)

2019 30%

2018 40%

2017 60%

2016 70%

2015 85%

3.4 Graph showing declining levels of fish stocks in rivers over the past 5 years

Fish Stocks (2015-2019)

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Fish Stocks

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 importances of fish to the local people in Mpulungu District

According to the findings from this project, the fishing industry in Mpulungu District is
important as fish provides a source of protein for the people.

a) Fishing and Foreign Exchange

Fishing helps in raising foreign exchange earnings from tourists who come to fish for leisure
and sport. Tourists spend money on travel, accommodation and entertainment there is direct
income on Taxes from also increase government income

b) Employment:

Local people in Mpulungu are employed in Fisheries companies and self-employed in fishing
activities. Others find jobs as drivers, fish agents and traders in supermarkets and markets.
Fishing also creates employment opportunities in other services industries, such as
restaurants, hotels, motels and lodges, as well as markets and small business shops.

c) Infrastructural development:

Fishing brings in foreign exchange taxes that help the government to pay for improving, such
as roads and bridges. The development of fishing also helps to improve the general
infrastructure, such as roads, buildings in the country

d) Source of Income

Fishing is a source of cheap and vital income for the local people in Mpulungu. It also it
helps to raise income through sales of fish both fresh and dry and support their livelihood

FISHING METHODS USED BY FISHERMEN

Fishing with Spears and hooks

This involves the collection of aquatic organisms that are sessile or not very mobile using
wounding hooks. These wounding gears include spears, cutlasses, knives, hooks and lines,
primitive nets. They use boats and motor propelled boat or stand near the rivers to hook the
fish

Nets and Mosquito nets

Different types of Fishing Nets are used. These includes nets in which one end of the net is
fixed to an anchorage while the free end is moved along to surround certain area. The net is

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then pulled to close the fish within the area catching fishes in the river. It is like a
surrounding net but that of surrounding net is very large and it has a bag net and towing lines.
Examples are Gill net is a rectangular piece of netting fixed with a head line on top and
usually a foot-rope at the bottom. Mosquito nets are also used by local fishermen

Fishing baskets

There are lifted with floats while the foot-pole is weighed with lead, stones and the
combination of floats and weights makes it possible for them to stay upright in water. Baskets
trap fish and are used mainly for catching shrimps, small fishes and crabs. The fishes are
usually caught in wicker baskets containing baits. These baskets are usually lowered into
swallow coastal water and left for one or two days before they are hauled up. Salmons which
are returning to breed in rivers are sometimes caught by traps placed in the mouth of rivers.
Sometimes fishermen use wooden stakes driven into the sea bed at the end of which is the
trap. A platform is usually built over the trap to enable fishermen to haul the catch.

Poison and explosives

The poisons and explosives are thrown in water intoxicating fish which instantly dies. The
problem with these, methods are that the fishermen kill all living organisms in the water
including small fish, eggs, frogs and weeds as well as other living organisms.

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ADVANTAGES OF FISH FARMING

Creation of Employment

Aquaculture has resulted in job creation in fields such as animal research and fish hatchery
management. Also, harvested fish contributes to employment creation in food processing
industries, transport sector and restaurants. On the other hand, fish farming is an important
source of income for aquaculture investors.

Source of Proteins

Fish farming provides an important source of proteins and nutrients essential for healthy
living. With the growing global population, fish helps to supplement other protein sources
such as animal meat, milk and beans. In addition, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that assist
in brain function, normal development and reduces the risks of heart diseases.

Limits Overfishing

As a result of growing world population, the demand for fish increases day by day. Fish
farming sets to meet this demand hence preventing overfishing of wild fish from the oceans
and lakes.

Easy to Maintain

Compared to cattle farming and poultry farming, fish farming is easy to maintain and has low
running costs. Fish farms can be set up almost anywhere with clean water supply and a large
water body. In this regard, if properly managed, fish farming is commercially profitable due
to low running costs.

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Prevents Extinction of Some Fish Species

Aquaculture helps to revive the populations of some fish species, such as cod, sea bass and
red snapper. The high demand of such fish species necessitates the need for breeding in fish
farms in order to prevent their extinction.

High Yields

Fish farming methods shield edible fish from marine predators such as large fish, bears and
fish-eating birds. This stabilizes the fish population hence resulting in high fish yields. In
addition, farmed fish are constantly monitored for parasites, sickness and other factors that
might hinder their development. Moreover, fish kept in fish farms are left to mature over a
given period of time before they are harvested. This ensures maximum yields by eliminating
the capture of young fish as experienced in standard fishing methods.

DISADVANTAGES OF FISH FARMING

Water Pollution and Infections Farmed fish are often treated with antibiotics, disinfectants
and pesticides. These chemicals combined with fish wastes may find their way into
surrounding fresh water hence resulting in water pollution. Moreover, the congestion of fish
in one area may result in the death of some fish. Dead fish encourage the growth of bacteria
and other infections, which may threaten the entire fish population in the water source. Also,
due to fish congestion, infections spread easily among the fish population since they are often
in close contact.

Expensive to Set Up

The initial setup costs for fish farming may be expensive due to the need to install fish cages,
hatcheries and provision of processed fish food. In addition, as opposed to fish farming in
large water bodies, fish farming in ponds requires costly excavations and channeling of river
water into and out of the fish ponds.

Genetic Abnormalities

Farmed fish have limited gene pool during breeding. This increases chances of genetic
abnormalities among the fish offspring.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION

The findings revel that fishing in Mpulungu District is an important activity that has provided
sources of income, employment and promoted industrial development to the people of
Mpulungu district. Fishing plays a major role in social life as well. This project has also
revealed that when fisheries overfish, the waters become depleted of recourses which humans
have become accustomed to for generations. Many families pass down the fishing lifestyle to
their It is believed that the poor fishing methods which is widely practiced in Mpulungu
district communities has not only brought a serious decline of fisheries, but has also
introduced hazards of various magnitude to the consumers and the entire aquatic
environment. Poor fishing methods has made fishing a time consuming ventures with little or
no harvest to show for the time wasted. However the introduction of modern fish farming
technique has not only boasted fish supply, but has brought appreciable positive effects on
proteins consumption, also preventing lot of health hazards associated with the consumption
of poisoned fishes using a modern method is a good and reliable avenue for improving the
nation’s economy a good source of job creation.

The project suggests the use of modern techniques as a possible solution to this problem of
decline in fish stocks. This method involves the use sophisticated modern equipment as
fishing gears. It includes the use of fishing nets with regulated mesh sizes, motor propelled
machines, diesel marine engines, trawlers and ships for commercial fishing. With the use of
these modern fishing equipment i. More catch is registered at faster rate. ii. The fishes caught
are safe for human consumption. iii. The purity or quality of water is not affected since the
water is not polluted. Thus the water is safe for drinking and for other domestic uses. iv.
Fishes can be stored for longer period and well preserved in mobile refrigerator fishing
vessels.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The government should come in and help with loans to boost small scale fishing.

2. Fishermen must employ good methods of fishing to conserve fish stocks in rivers.

3. There should be increased awareness campaigns on the dangers of using poisons and

chemicals when fishing so that people are made awareness of health risks involved.

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 CHAPTER SIX

6.0 EVALUATION
This study has drawn some clear conclusions about the effects poor methods of fishing in
Mpulungu District. A number of evaluative points can be made. Firstly, given time and
personnel restrictions it was difficult to survey the whole of Mpulungu District accurately. It
is worth concluding that although this was a fairly broad piece of fieldwork, there was so
much more which could be investigated. Different groups of people have very strong views
on gentrification and it is hoped that this piece of work provides an impartial outsider’s view
on its nature and extent of the subject matter.

6.1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

 The report likely had biased as the data was undertaken in Mpulungu District only,

hence its findings are limited to Mpulungu and cannot be generalised across other

Fishing centres in Zambia. To overcome this, there is need to carry out similar studies

across other Fisheries in Zambia.

 Some respondents who were selected were illiterate to the extent that they could

neither read nor write on the questionnaires, thus researcher had to read and write on

their behalf .

 Time was also inadequate and this encounter did not allow the researcher to build a

strong rapport with the research community. There in need for more time allocation.

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 REFERENCES

Aboagye, A. (1986). Fishing Sector Employment in Kenya. Geneva: ILO Publishers.

ILO, (1999) Social and labour issues in small-scale Fishing. Geneva: International Labour

Office Geneva.

Sida. (2004). Strategic Guidelines for SIDA Support to Market-Based Rural Poverty

Stockholm: Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

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 Appendix I

QUESTIONNAIRE

(FOR OFFICIALS FROM MINISTY OF FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK)

Q No. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1 Gender of the respondent

Male Female
2. How long have you worked in this Fishing Industry
less than 5 years
between 5 and 10 years
over 10 year
3. What is the major occupation of most people in Mpulungu?
Fishermen
Teachers
Nurse or Doctors
Farmers
Self- employment

Others specify………………………………………………….
4. What is your monthly income from fishing activities?

less than K500

K500 to K1,000
K1,000 to K2,000
K2,000 to K5,000
More than K5,000
5. Do you socially benefit from Fishing activities in this area?
Yes No Don’tknow
Job creation
improvement of road infrastructure
maintenance of sanitation such as drainages
student scholarships
health care services
recreation services such as sports
6.
Kindly explain how Fishing contributes to the Zambian economy
…………………………………………………………………………………………
...…What are the common poor methods of fishing used and their negative
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effects?…………

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 INTERVIEW SHEET (COMMUNITY MEMBERS)
Q BACKGROUND INFORMATION
No
.
1 Gender of the respondent
Male Female
2. How long have you lived in this township
less than 5 years
between 5 and 10 years
over 10 year
3. What is your occupation
Tour Guide
Teacher
Nurse or Doctor
Farmer
Self- employment

Others specify………………………………………………….
4. What is the importance of Fishing in Mpulungu
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
5. Do you socially benefit from Fishing activities in this area?
Yes No Don’tknow
Job creation
improvement of road infrastructure
maintenance of sanitation such as drainages
student scholarships
health care services
recreation services such as sports
6.
Kindly explain how Fishing contributes to the Zambian economy
…………………………………………………………………………………………...…
……………………………………………………………………………..………...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

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