Potential Water Bodies to Develop FisheryResources in the Afar Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A baseline survey was conducted to generate information on the locations and fish production status of small water bodies and lakes in the Afar region. Eight natural lakes with surface areas ranging from 0.1 km2 to 127 km2 were surveyed. Most of the lakes are located along the belt of Awash River swamps. Data on water physico-chemical and biological parameters were collected. High water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 32.2°C were recorded in the surveyed lakes. Different fish species such as tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus), catfish (Clariasgariepinus), common carp (Cyprinuscarpio) and Lebeobarbus spp. inhabiting the Awash River were also found in some of the lakes that have a direct connection to the river. Despite the availability of commercially important fish species in the lakes, fishing has not yet been practiced. In situ measurements on water physico-chemical parameters indicated that the surveyed water bodies are suitable for capture fishery development. Developing capture fishery in these water bodies can thus contribute to curb the food insecurity and malnutrition problem of the region.