EXAMINATION COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA

GEOGRAPHY

FIELD PROJECT REPORT

FISHING IN KAFUE DISTRICT

By

Examination number
__________________

School

© ECZ 2020

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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

6.1. Limitation of the
study.......................................................................................................17

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6.2. References/
Appendices.................................................................................................18-20

TITLE OF THE REPORT

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF POOR FISHING

METHODS IN KAFUE DISTRICT

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background to the study

Zambia's rich endowment of water resources provides the foundations for supporting
significant economic growth and development. Water area, including rivers, lakes, swamps,
flood plains and streams accounts for approximately 145,194 km2 (19 percent of total
territory). In Kafue District are many water bodies which are rich in a variety of fish spices.
Fishing in Kafue district is dominated by artisanal fishers using traditional vessels. They are
found in many waterways and fishing activities contribute most of the national production
and offers a source of income and employment for the local people in Kafue.

However, 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. The various
attempts to regulate fishing effort have often proved to be fairly ineffective many local
fisheries continue to use poor methods of fishing. According Aboagye, (1986) the traditional
methods of fishing for the people of Western Province have led to the depletion of fish stock
in most of the rivers. 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. This project looks at the negative effects of the different
fishing methods used by fishermen in Kafue District.

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1.2 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA

Kafue is a town in the Lusaka Province of Zambia and it lies on the north bank of the Kafue
River, after which it is named. It is the southern gateway to the central Zambian plateau on
which Lusaka and the mining towns of Kabwe and the Copperbelt are located.

Source: Google maps, 2020

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Aim of the study

The aim of this study is to find out the negative effects of poor fishing methods in Kafue
District

Objectives

 To find out the economic benefits of fishing in Kafue District.

 To find out the methods of fishing used in Kafue 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.

2.1.SAMPLING 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 local people of Kafue 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

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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.

CHAPTER THREE

DATA COLLECTION

3.1 Table showing estimates of economic benefits of fishing in Kafue

IMPORTANCE OF FISHING 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

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 IMPORTANCE OF FISHING

Promotes Industries
Protein
Income 5% 18%
14%
Infra-
structure
dev
9%

Employment Forex
36% 18%

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 Kafue District

Nets

Canoes
Fishing Buskets

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 CHALLENGE FACED BY
THE COUNCIL
Spears & hooks Poisons

Sacks, cloths Explosives

Mosquito nets

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

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 Fish Stocks (2015-2019)
90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Fish Stocks

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 importance of fishing to the local people in Kafue District

According to the traditional leaders, fish is a critically important source of protein for the
people of Southern Province.

a) Fishing and Foreign Exchange

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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 Kafue 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 Kafue. It also it helps
with preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of our cultural heritage.

4.2 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
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

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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.

4.3 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF POOR FISHING METHODS

Traditional methods of fishing like Poisons, explosives and mosquito nets used by traditional
or local fishermen in catching their fishes from the water pose some hazards to the fishes and
the aquatic environment and the society at large.

Poisons and Chemicals

The use of poisons or chemicals like gamalin 20, Didimore 25 and poisonous leave, roots and
fruits of some toxic plants cause water pollution thereby making the water unsafe for human
use. Consumption of fishes killed by poison also has lethal effects on the consumers. By
eating poisoned fish, the poison or toxic is directly or indirectly transferred to the consumer
which if adequate medical care is not taken, vital organs may be damaged and may eventually
result in death. A pregnant woman that takes poisoned fish faces the likelihood of the unborn
suffering from some congenital abnormalities. So also poisoned water is very unsafe for

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drinking or for other domestic uses. The use of poisoned river for irrigation to agricultural
farmlands also poses a potent environmental danger to the agricultural crops and the
farmland.

Hooks

The use of hooks, spears, cutlasses inflicts physical damage on the fishes and this accelerates
the rate of decay of the fishes as a result of bacterial invasion on the damage parts. The
volume of catch is also reduced by the use of hook and line method. It is also time-consuming
as fishermen have to spend a long time on boat only to catch few fishes

Mosquito nets

The use of local fish nets and mosquito nets whose mesh sizes are not regulated or nets with
undersized meshes poses dangers for small young fishes especially the fingerlings, which
may likely be scooped out of water prematurely.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION

5.1. CONCLUSION

The findings revel that fishing in Kafue District is an important activity that has provided
sources of income, employment and promoted industrial development to the people of Kafue
district. Fishing plays a major role in social life as well. This project has also revealed that

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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 Kafue 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 fishing 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.

CHAPTER SIX

6.0 EVALUATION
This study has drawn some clear conclusions about the effects poor methods of fishing in
Kafue District. A number of evaluative points can be made. Firstly, given time and personnel
restrictions it was difficult to survey the whole of Kafue District accurately. It is worth

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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 Kafue District only, hence

its findings are limited to Kafue 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.

REFERENCES

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 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.

Appendix I

QUESTIONNAIRE

(FOR OFFICIALS FROM MINISTY OF FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK)

Q BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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No
.
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 Kafue?
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

6. recreation services such as sports

Kindly explain how Fishing contributes to the Zambian economy
…………………………………………………………………………………………...…
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What are the common poor methods of fishing used and their negative effects?…………
INTERVIEW SHEET (COMMUNITY MEMBERS)
Q BACKGROUND INFORMATION
No
.
1 Gender of the respondent
Male Female
2. How long have you lived in this township

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 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 importanc of Fishing in Kafue
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
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

6. recreation services such as sports

Kindly explain how Fishing contributes to the Zambian economy
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………..………...
THANK FOR YOUR TIME