Fishing Industry Research Papers

CHAPTER ONE
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish often in the water bodies. Techniques for catching
fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping. Fish is caught mainly to be
eaten, but at times fishing is done as a recreational pastimes or sport. Fishing tournaments are
held, and caught fish are sometimes kept as preserved or living trophies.
Zambia has a rich endowment of water resources such as including rivers, lakes, swamps, flood
plains and streams which are stocked with different types of fish which are a source of proteins,
income, and employment for the local people. Fisheries and aquaculture provide direct and
indirect employment to people and helps in developing the country countries.
Mpulungu is one of the towns in the Northern Province of Zambia, at the southern tip of Lake
Tanganyika which has a lot of fish in its water bodies. The district is rich in a variety of fish
spices. Fishing in Mpulungu district is dominated by artisanal fishers using both traditional and
commercial vessels Aboagye, (1986).
There are various methods used in fishing by the local people in Mpulungu such as boats, nets,
canoes, 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. This
research looks the economic benefits of fishing among the local people of Mpulungu district

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The fishing industry is an activity to the national economy and contributes significantly to
employment, income and food production. Recently the Fishing in Mpulungu has been has been
an important economic activity and many local people venture into the industry as a source of
employment and income. This research therefore, try’s to ascertaining the underlying factors that
makes fishing to be an important economic benefits of fishing among the local people of
Mpulungu district.
1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
There has been a general rise in the demand for fish in among the people in communities and in
the business industries. Despite Zambia having several other economic ventures such as mining
and agriculture, the fishing industry has proved to be one of the important business ventures that
can boost Zambia’s economy through local sales and importations. Little research has been done
on the economic benefits of fishing among the local people in Mpulungu district, therefore, this
research intends to investigate the economic benefits of fishing among the local people of
Mpulungu district.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is important in that its findings may help the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in
finding ways of putting up interventions that would help fishermen in improving their business
and overcome the various challenges they may be facing in the fishing industry. The information
may also be helpful to various stakeholders and policy formulators to modify the conditions to
develop the fishing industry.
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1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To investigate the economic benefits of fishing industry among the local people of
Mpulungu district.
1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To find out the challenges faced by the fishing industry in Mpulungu district.
2. To investigate the relationship between fishing and economic development in Zambia.
3. To find out possible solutions to reduce challenges faced by the fishing industry.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the challenges faced by the fishing industry in Mpulungu district?
2. What is the relationship between fishing and economic development in Zambia?
3. What are the possible solutions to reduce challenges faced by the fishing industry ?
1.5 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study will require a lot of time for it to be carried out effectively. It will also require a lot of
finances as some of the areas of study in Mpulungu District are located in distant areas which
requires some transportation costs.
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