| dc.description.abstract | The understanding of the marketing problems of such an
important fishery as Lake Victoria provides a framework
within which the management, production and institutional
roles can be handled. The efficient production offish
as a source of proteins and a source of income as well as
a means of earning foreign exchange is largely dependent
on efficient distribution.
Fishery research needs to ensure that information on
economic, social, political and natural factors are well
understood. This study aims at satisfying an economic
information which is necessary for the development of a
fishery. The formulation andiinterpretation of the
functions used, the examination of other aspects of the
fishery, and the derivation of policy implications are
thus aimed at filling an important information gap.
The understanding of the nature of the fishery resource
and how the fishing indusfry as a whole functions is incomplete
without determining the best means of influencing
the system to attain the desired objectives. These objectives
centre around man whose , welfare need be improved
through proper utilisation and development of such natural
resources.
The results of this study indicate that fishermen's
receipts from the sales of their catches are constrained by
lack of preservation and transportation facilities for their
highly perishable commodities. Seasonal anj/or bad roads
inhibit the smooth flow of fish trade. Impassable roads,
especially during the wet days militate against the freshfish
trade. This increases the risk of fish spoilage leading
to increased processing of fish. Processed fish is less
renumerative than fresh fish. The fishing effort is
therefore not well rewarded. Lack of preservation and
transportation facilities furthermore, weaken the
bargaining powers of fishermen vis-a-vis the fish mongers.
The fishery, being multi-species, has experienced a
major change in the composition of t0e landed catches over
the years. These changes have important implications on
the performance of the marketing system, and hence on
incomes accruing to fishermen. The traditionally more
preferred species have increasingly become scarce whereas
an exotic fish, Lakes niloticus has become dominant. This
fish is less .preferred by consumers within the Lake Basin
who.form the major market for the Lake fish. Furthermore the
fish is highly perishable and bulky. It is therefore
expensive both to process and to transport.
Co-operative societies in most developing nations are
seen as important development tools with regard to the
marketing of such commodities as fish. Fisheries co- operatives in Kenya;are relatively more successful in
Turkana, Naivasha and Coast regions. There are many such
societies along Lake Victoria and their involvement in
marketing the fish is still small. Their weaknesses stem
from small financial bases, and lack of proper management.
These societies, however, seem to hold the key for the
improvements necessary in the marketing system. Being
accessible to loans and assistances in one form or another
from various organizations, the societies need to provide
some of the essential facilities and then engage in
aggressive marketing of fish. Incentives, through better
prices, need be given to the fishermen to induce their
maximum participation as members.of the societies.
The pooling of fishermen's resources through such
co-operation is necessary for improved marketing and
development of the fishery as a whole. | en |
