Geography and Environment

Fishing is one of the oldest economic activities carried out by communities that lived near water bodies. Fishing is the process of extracting valuable resources that are found in water bodies. Some communities carry out fishing as their main source of income while for others it is a part time activity. For some, it is a sporting activity while for others, it is undertaken because fish provides an alternative source of protein.

Activity 17.1

Read the following story then answer the questions that follow:

Mukambanguza lives near Lake Kivu with her parents. She is fourteen years old.

Her father is a fisherman. He has been fishing in Kivu since Mukambanguza was 2 years old. Before then, he was a motor rider. He quit driving a moto because he said it did not give him enough money to feed the family.

Since he became a fisherman, he has built a good house for his family. He recently bought a piece of land in addition to what he already had.

“I love to fish,” he told Mukambanguza the other day.

“Why dad?,” she asked.

“It is because fishing has built our house. It has also clothed us for a long time now.

“Fishing has also given you the education you enjoy now.”

“Dad,” she started with an inquisitive voice, “our teacher said it builds our bodies!” She sounded confused.

“It is true my daughter,” he replied. “However, I will explain what I meant by the statements I made earlier on. When you get back to school, ask your teacher what she meant by that,” he replied, while pulling a chair to sit.

From the story above, it is true that fishing has many benefits.

1.  List the benefits Mukambanguza’s family have got from fishing.

2.  Explain what Mukambanguza’s teacher might have meant.

3.  In your opinion, was it right for Mukambanguza’s father to quit riding a moto to fishing? Explain your answer.

17.1 Major fishing and fish farming areas in Rwanda

Since Rwanda is a landlocked country, there is no marine fishing. However, there are many fresh water lakes, rivers and wetlands that have large stocks of fish. From them, fishermen are able to carry out both commercial and subsistence fishing.

Fish farming is also widespread in wetland areas. They have achieved this by constructing fish ponds because water is readily available. It is carried out mainly in lowland valleys which were originally swampy. Some ponds are constructed along river valleys where it is easy to obtain water for the ponds.

Activity 17.2

1.Copy the map of Rwanda provided below and label all the rivers and lakes shown.

2.  In groups of five, research about:

    i) fish farming areas in Rwanda.

    ii) The major fish farming areas in Rwanda.

3.  Indicate on the map you have drawn the major fish farming areas in Rwanda.

4.  Carry out a research from geographical documents and the Internet to find out:

    (i)  The water bodies where commercial fishing is carried out.

    (ii)  The main species of fish caught in each of the water bodies.

5.  Find out the most common species of fish that are reared in the fish farms and why.

Fishing and fish farming in Rwanda are carried out in the following fisheries:

1.  Lakes

Rwanda has over twenty lakes. All these have sufficient stocks of fish. The largest of them is Lake Kivu which is also the main commercial fishery. The lake has many inlets that provide ideal breeding grounds for fish. Apart from Lake Kivu, other large lakes are Muhazi, Mugesera, Rweru, Cyohoha, Burera and Ruhondo. On the eastern part of the country, there are many shallow lakes that are also important fishing areas for the local communities.

2.  Rivers

Rwanda has many rivers where fishing is carried out. Examples of these rivers are Akagera, Nyabarongo, Akanyaru, Muvumba, Rusizi, Mukungwa and Kagitumba. Fishing in the rivers is mainly carried out by local communities using traditional methods. Here, fishing is for subsistence use. However, the surplus is sold in local markets.

3.  Wetlands and ponds

Rwanda has many wetlands especially in the eastern part of the country. Naturally the swamps have some species of fish that breed in such environments. Some of parts of the wetlands have been modified to become ponds for fish farming. Many of these ponds are individually owned.

17.2 Factors influencing fish farming in Rwanda

Activity 17.3

In groups of five, identify the factors influencing fishing and fish farming in Rwanda. Write down the findings, and make relevant conclusions.

(i) Existence of natural wetlands: Rwanda has many areas of lowlands and valleys where water is readily available to make fish ponds. The areas are either natural swamps or low lying areas near permanent rivers or shores of lakes.

(ii)  Government encouragement: The government has favourable policies to support fish farming in order to expand the fishing industry. For instance, to promote fish farming in the country, the government has initiated theInland Lakes Integrated Development and Management Support Project (PAIGELAC) which gives farmers a lot of financial and skill development support.

(iii)  Availability of capital: many fish farmers have formed cooperatives which makes it easy for them to obtain loans for capital to construct and stock fish ponds.

(iv)  Availability of trained extension workers: Fish farmers get advice from trained extension workers who make frequent visits to the farms.

(v)  Availability for local market:  As more fish farms are established in different part of Rwanda, the culture of fishing and eating fish is introduced to more people. Many fish farmers are able to sell their fish to individuals, the nearby towns and to hotels and restaurants.

(vi) Availability of labour: Individual family members or members of cooperatives provide the necessary labour for activities such as construction of ponds, pulling of weeds from the ponds and fish harvesting.

(vii)  Expansion of fishing area: There has been widespread introduction of fish farming in the wetlands and along the shores of some lakes where fish ponds are easy to construct.

17.3 Methods of fishing used in Rwanda (traditional and modern)

The methods used to catch fish in different fisheries depend on the type of fishery. In shallow waters, simple traditional methods are applied while in deep waters, more sophisticated methods are used.

Fish found in the fisheries in Rwanda are not commonly caught for commercial use but by the local communities for subsistance purposes.

Activity 17.4

Study the photograph below and answer the following questions.

1.  Name a lake in Rwanda where this photograph may have been taken.

2.  Describe the fishing method being used to catch fish in the lake.

3.  Explain why the method being used is suitable.

4.  What are the possible problems that the fishermen are likely to face?

5.  Explain how the problems stated in 4 above can be solved.

Most of the people in Rwanda who engage in small scale fishing use traditional methods of catching fish. These include:

   a)  Poisoning method

   b)  Spearing method

   c)  Trapping

   d) Hook method

   e)  Basket method

   f)  Gill method

   g)  Line fishing method

a)  Poisoning method

This involves putting poison in water so that the fish dies. People then collect the dead fish. The disadvantage of using this method is that the poison may kill all the fish even the young ones.

b)  Spearing method

This method is used in shallow water where a spear is aimed at a fish and then it is released to strike the fish. The disadvantage is that one may end up missing the target or only catch one fish after spending long hours trying to spear the fish.

c)  Trapping

This involves laying a trap on the path where fish passes. The trap is left in position for several hours before one checks if any fish has been caught. It is used in shallow water especially in rivers.

d)  Hook method

A string attached to a strong stick is tied to a hook on its other end. A bait is stuck to the hook and the string thrown into the water. The fisherman holds the stick and waits to notice the string being pulled as fish is caught and tries to free itself. The sticks with the strings can be firmly fixed on canoes.

e) Basket method

This involves laying baskets made of reeds in the water. The basket has a wide mouth for getting in and a narrow mouth for getting out. Once the fish enters, it is not able to free itself since it cannot find its way out.Commercial fishing methods are used by people who engage in large scale fishing in lakes like Kivu and Ihema. They use two main methods.

f)  Gill net method

Large nets are attached to a boat. The boat then drags the net in the water and fish get caught by the gills on the mesh of the net. The net is pulled into the boat to empty the catch and thrown back in the water for another round. Large numbers of fish are caught per throw.

g)  Line fishing method

This involves using a long strong line with many hooks on which baits are attached. The line is attached to a boat that drags it along in the water. Fish are caught as they try to eat the baits. The line is pulled back into the boat to remove the catch. This is repeated to catch the required load of fish.

17.4 Problems faced by fishing and fish farming in Rwanda and possible solutions

Rwanda’s fishing industry has been facing a number of problems that must be addressed for the industry to grow. The following are some of the problems and the way they are being solved.

Activity 17.5

In groups, carry out a field study of a nearby fish farm or fishery. Your report should include the following information:

1. Name of farm or area studied.

2. Ownership of the fishery.

3. Problems affecting fishing in the area.

4. How the problems are being addressed.

Present your report in class for discussion.

17.5 Fish preservation and conservation in Rwanda

Fish preservation

Preservation means to keep something in good condition. Fish preservation means keeping fish in a state where it is suitable for human consumption. Fish is highly perishable. Its condition begins to deteriorate as soon as it is caught and removed from water.

Modern methods of preserving fish are expensive. Many fishing communities in Rwanda use the traditional methods since they cannot afford the modern ones. Also their catch of fish is not so much as to warrant them to invest in modern methods of preservation.

Activity 17.6

In groups, use geographical documents and internet to carry out a research on the fish conservation and preservation methods used in Rwanda.

Write a report on your the findings for class discussion.

17.5.1 Traditional methods of preserving fish

The traditional methods of preserving fish are still very common today. They include:

   a)  Sun drying

   b)  Salting

   c)  Smoking over open fire

These methods are also described as fish curing. Smoking and sun drying evaporates the moisture in the fish that may encourage bacteria that leads to rotting.

Fish salting means applying salt on the fish. As much salt as possible is rubbed on the fish to kill the bacteria that causes rotting. Fish that is preserved using the traditional methods cannot last for too long because if moisture settles on it, it will begin to rot.

17.5.2 Modern methods of preserving fish

Modern methods of fish preservation are:

     (i)  Fish canning

     (ii)  Freezing

Canning involves processing and packing fish in pressurised cans that are tightly sealed. Canned fish can last for a long time.

Fish freezing means keeping fish in very cold chambers which makes the fish to freeze. Bacteria cannot survive on frozen fish, and thus such fish can stay for a long time.

Fish conservation

Conservation of fish means to protect fisheries so that they are not overexploited. It also involves ensuring that the water remains in good quality for continued breeding of fish. If this is done, then fishing will be sustained.

Conservation processes include:

(i)  Using the correct size of nets so as to avoid catching young fish that is not ready for harvesting. Only the mature fish should be caught.

(ii)  Establishing fish hatcheries to breed young fish for restocking the depleted fisheries. Currently the Kigembe hatcheries is supplying fingerlings to many fish farmers.

(iii)  Avoiding poisoning of fish and any other practices that lead to water pollution so that fish live in healthy environment.

(iv)  Establishing fish farms to subsidise the natural fisheries.

(v)  Restocking and introducing new fish species such as Tilapia niloticus so as to increase fish varieties in the fisheries.

(vi)  Educating and capacity building so that people are aware of the importance of practising sustainable fishing methods. This can be done through extension workers or by organising study tours to successful fish farms in order for farmers to acquire more knowledge and skills on sustainable fish farming.

(vii)  Protecting the watersheds to ensure sustained supply of water to the lakes and rivers.

END OF UNIT REVISION EXERCISE

1.  Identify the major fish species caught and major fishing areas of Rwanda.

2.  Explain the factors responsible for the growth of fishing industry in Rwanda.

3.  Which fishing methods are commonly used in Rwanda and why?

4.  Explain the problems facing the fishing industry in Rwanda.

5.  Describe the fish preservation and conservation methods used in Rwanda.