Observations on Fishery Management in Africa

Fisheries personnel in Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, Uganda and Egypt were visited in March and April 1965. Harvest of fish from the sea, lakes and rivers is being improved through improved boats, motors, and docking marketing facilities. High dams on the Nile and Volta Rivers are providing new fishery resources which will require research and development of new techniques. Flooded vegetation has caused oxygen depletion in the Volta Reservoir. The dams will also interfere with spawning of fish and clams downstream, and the Nile dam has already reduced the catch of sardines in the Mediterranean. Fish culture is hindered by lack of experience and research and by shortage of supplemental foods. Africanization of the fisheries departments has often displaced trained biologists before their counterparts could be trained. Attention is being given in each country to the training of fisheries personnel, but outside help will be needed for many years