GEOGRAPHY A LEVEL(FORM SIX) NOTES – REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES – 5.6 SUSTAINABLE FISHING

REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES – 5.6 SUSTAINABLE FISHING

Fishing industry or fisheries

Refers to activities involving the establishment, development, and exploitation of different fish resources. This is carried out in both man-made and natural water bodies. Fishing has developed significantly worldwide, especially in temperate regions where water is cool and fishing grounds are abundant. Fishing is well developed in countries like Norway, Japan, Canada, Russia, and African countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Angola. East African fishing industry is not well developed despite having many water bodies and a long coastline.

Fishing is often referred to as a robber industry because in many parts of the world, catching fish is not balanced by replenishing the fish stock. This has been due to the introduction of faster and more powerful fishing vessels and modern fishing equipment to meet the ever-increasing demand for food needed for the growing population. Hence, fishing is excessive compared to replacement by reproduction.

Conditions that favor the development of fishing industry

1. Cool climate with temperature lower than 20°C. The cool water of temperate seas is more suited for fish breeding than tropical water. Valuable species like salmon, cod, herring, haddock, and mackerel are found in temperate seas.
2. Availability of plankton. Plankton is used as food by fish; hence fish are plentiful where there is abundant plankton. Plankton flourishes under cool, shallow water and in the presence of plenty of mineral salts.
3. Physical environment along the coast characterized by indentations provides ideal sites for ports. Some of the greatest fishing ports in the world, like St. John (Newfoundland) and Bergen (Norway), are found along indented coastlines.

Types of fish

There are three categories of fish: saltwater fish, freshwater fish, and anadromous fish.

1. Saltwater fish

Include fish species that live in seas, oceans, and salty lakes. Herring, common in Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Japan, and China, is an example of saltwater fish.

Saltwater fish can be divided into:

1. a. Pelagic species. These species live close to the surface water of oceans and seas. They move in large shoals. Common species include herring and mackerel found in the Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of Western Europe; sardines found in the Mediterranean Sea, New England, and North America; anchovies, small fish mainly caught off the coast of Peru, used for making fish meal fed to animals and as fertilizer; and menhaden found off the coast of North America, accounting for one-third of the total catch in the USA. Menhaden is used for fertilizers and animal feed and has very high content of nitrates and phosphorus. Others include pilchard.
2. b. Demersal species. These species are found at the bottom of seas and oceans. Important species include cod, a large fish about 1.5 meters long used for extracting oil, mainly fished from the North Sea off the coast of Norway and Iceland. Other demersal fish species are tuna, haddock, hake, snapper, grouper, and halibut, fished off the coast of British Columbia.

2. Freshwater fish

These include species that live in lakes like Lake Tanganyika, Victoria, Edward, Albert, and Turkana, and rivers like Ugalla, Rufiji, and Kagera. They are not as important as saltwater species and do not swim in shoals. Freshwater fishing in Europe and the USA is a part-time occupation.

In the USA, it takes place in the Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron, Superior, Erie, and Ontario), the most important inland fishing grounds. Species found include perch, pike, trout, and salmon. Inland fishing in Russia, Japan, and China is important. Inland fishing in Africa takes place in Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Lake Turkana (where Nile perch is fished), and Lake Naivasha.

3. Anadromous fish

These species spawn in rivers but spend their lifetime in oceans and seas. They later return to rivers to spawn and die. The most common species include salmon, mostly fished in North America. Salmon travels in large numbers. Once fished, it can be conserved while fresh or sometimes smoked and canned. There are canning factories in Canada (at Vancouver).

Fishing Methods used include:

1. a. Drifting in which drift nets hang vertically like table tennis nets. This method is used in catching pelagic fish. The fish gills are caught in the mesh when the fish tries to swim across the drift net.
2. b. Trawling in which a trawl net, a bag-shaped net, is used to catch demersal fish as it is dragged by a trawler.
3. c. Seining involves the use of haul seine and purse seine nets. They have intermediate features between drift nets and trawlers. Haul seine nets look like drift nets but are smaller, and purse seine nets look like trawl nets but are smaller. The seine net is pulled to surround the shoal of fish. It is used by fishermen in small boats or by land-based fishermen.
4. d. Lining in which lines fitted with hooks are used to catch fish. It is used where trawlers and seine nets cannot be used, especially where the sea floor is rugged. It is used for large fish like tuna. Two types of lines are used: hand-line (haul line), a line with a single baited hook cast from the deck, drawn from water when the float indicates a fish has been hooked; and long lines, associated with many hooks (500 to 5000) attached to it, several kilometers long, towed by dories or large streamers.
5. e. Whaling by the use of power-fired harpoons which carry an explosive charge. It is used for catching whales, especially in Japan.

Other methods used especially in East Africa include bows and arrows and spears (though this method is in decline), the use of fish baskets and fish traps, scoop nets, cast nets called Kitagala in Lake Victoria, gill nets, and the use of poisonous chemicals and dynamite along the coast. Most traditional methods are destructive to fish species and their habitats.

FISHING IN NORWAY

The fishing industry is well developed in Norway and takes place in the North Sea. It is a leading country in Europe. Fishing is done in the sea because fish farming inland is difficult due to the harsh climate. The species commonly fished are cod and herring. The development has been due to the following factors:

1. Presence of the continental shelf that provides shallow water and fish food (plankton). This is due to sunlight penetration in shallow water that encourages plankton growth. The water does not exceed a depth of 185m (about 600ft).
2. Long indented coastline, which provides fishing grounds and sheltered harbors.
3. The North Atlantic Drift (ocean current), which is warm, has led to favorable conditions for fish industry development. The drift also brings and distributes food along the coast.
4. The need for raw material for oil-making industries has encouraged the fishing industry.
5. Limited agricultural land, forest, and mineral deposits have made people opt for fishing activities. Some land is no longer productive.
6. The high demand for a balanced diet in urban areas has provided a market for the industry.
7. Good transport and communication have also encouraged development. For example, there are advanced ports like Stavanger, Oslo, Moss, Trondheim, Ålesund, and Haugesund.
8. The use of advanced fishing facilities like refrigerated cargo vessels for transporting fish to other parts of the world. Some fish is exported frozen to Britain for the fried-fish trade.
9. Strong government support for the fishing industry.
10. Power availability, especially hydroelectric power (HEP), has stimulated the development of the fishing industry.
11. Presence of a wide variety of fish species like capelin, cod, herring, brisling, haddock, sprats, mackerel, whale, and dogfish (rock salmon). Exotic species, which are commercially more desirable, have also been introduced.
12. Capital to be invested in fisheries is readily available.
13. The use of modern fishing methods like trawling and drift netting.

Norwegian fishing grounds

FISHING IN JAPAN

Japan is one of the three most important fishing countries in the world, and its per capita consumption of fish is the highest globally. Inshore fishing along the coast and offshore fishing in the deep sea are taking place. Modern fishing vessels operate in the Pacific Ocean. Fishing vessels are owned by large corporations. Most vessels are refrigerated and have processing facilities. Whaling is also practiced, and Japan is the second largest whaling nation in the world. The species include cod, herring, and salmon.

Factors that have facilitated the development of the Fishing Industry in Japan:

1. The broad continental shelf of the Northwest Pacific with shallow water and the meeting of warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents help produce ideal conditions for plankton growth. Hence both pelagic and demersal fish are abundant.
2. The presence of many inlets (indentations) provides good breeding grounds for fish and the development of fishing ports.
3. Traditionally, the Japanese have traveled far in the sea or oceans, hence they have long experience in seafaring voyages, facilitating the fishing industry.
4. Pressure on agricultural resources has made Japan turn attention to the fishing industry. The land is mountainous and hence not good for agriculture.
5. Modern industrial and technological development has extended to the fishing industry, making it efficient and effective.
6. Reliable market in the country and outside has encouraged the development of the fishing industry. In Japan, fish is a great source of food. The ready market has been promoted by good preservation and processing methods.
7. Availability of capital invested in the fishing industry has led to great developments.
8. Banks and other institutions offer financial support and technical advice for the development of the fishing industry.
9. Strong government support in establishing research centers for the development or promotion of the fishing industry.
10. The presence of many islands in Japan has led to extensive fishing grounds.

Limitations of the Fishing Industry in Japan:

1. Restrictions imposed on Japan to limit its fishing area. Each territory identified its own fishing grounds, and there was to be no interference from other countries. Formerly, Japan had greater freedom in ocean fishing, but that freedom is no longer there. This has impacted Japan and made it put more emphasis on agriculture. Aquaculture in Japan accounts for one-tenth of Japan’s fishing industry.

Factors that have stimulated the development of Fish farming in Japan:

1. Advanced technology among the people has contributed greatly.
2. Restrictions imposed on Japan on the use of seawater have made people opt for fish farming. Fishing is therefore restricted to a certain distance from the land and cannot go very far into the ocean.
3. Capital is available since the country is economically well advanced.
4. The government plan to reduce overfishing problems in the sea has encouraged the development of fish farming.
5. The need to promote research on fish has stimulated the development of the fish industry.
6. Easy availability of food for fish.
7. Reliable market in the country since fish is a major source of food.

The seas around Japan and the Pacific Ocean are the fishing grounds of Japan.

Importance of Fishing Industry in Norway and Japan:

1. It has provided employment opportunities since other resources like minerals, forests, and land are limited in both Japan and Norway.
2. It has stimulated the development of oil manufacturing industries since fish is used as raw material for that industry.
3. It has encouraged the development of shipbuilding industries in both Norway and Japan, improving sea transport.
4. The fish industry has also stimulated the development of hydroelectric power (HEP) centers in the countries.

Problems facing fishing industry in Norway and Japan:

1. Overfishing due to overdependence on fish rather than other limited resources like land, minerals, and forests. Some fishing methods kill unwanted species, decreasing species numbers, especially the blue whale.
2. The introduction of new species to compete with native species has been difficult since new species are not well adapted to local conditions.
3. Land reclamation has disturbed habitats.
4. Water pollution has affected fish; some species die because of oil spills or poisonous chemicals. Mercury pollution is a big problem in Japan nowadays.
5. Competition from other nations with developed fishing industries has reduced the market for fish from Norway and Japan.
6. Restrictions on the use of seawater have reduced the distance over which countries can fish. International agreements insist countries stick to their own fishing zones.
7. Poaching has led to the disappearance of some valuable species.
8. Breakdown of machines sometimes leads to fish decomposition during transport or storage.
9. Strong storm waves are encountered when fishing in deep sea waters.
10. The local market is highly competitive, and the external market is limited as other countries are now involved in fishing.

FISHING IN CANADA

The annual output of Canadian fisheries is slightly larger than that of Britain. Fisheries were threatened by trawlers in the 1970s, leading to overfishing. Chief fish in Canada include salmon, cod, lobsters, herring, haddock, scallops, halibut, flounders, sole, sardine, and whitefish. Much of the fish in Canada is exported due to a small internal market caused by a small population. Fish is exported “wet” to the USA and “dry” to Latin America and Southwestern Europe.

Fishing grounds in Canada are located in two main areas:

In eastern Canada, fishing grounds extend about 1600 km (almost 1000 miles) from Cape Cod to Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada. In western Canada, fishing grounds are located in British Columbia on the Pacific seaboard. This area has smaller catches than the eastern coast. Herring, salmon, hake, and crabs are the main species. Halibut catches have declined sharply. Vancouver is the heart of the western Canadian fishing industry. Conservation methods are being undertaken to maintain yields.

There are also inland fisheries in Canada producing salmon, trout, eel, and whitefish, caught in chief rivers and lakes such as the Skeena River, Fraser River, Great Lakes, and Great Slave Lake.

Factors for the success of the fishing industry in Canada:

1. The use of advanced technology, enabling advanced methods like trawling and fishing fleets.
2. Widening of the fishing area to deeper parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Great number of fish and fish species caught in large quantities.
4. Ready external market, for example, the USA, while the internal market is small due to the small population.
5. Poor soils and harsh climate in northern parts have made people turn to the sea for fishing to sustain their livelihood.
6. The eastern fishing grounds are located near the meeting of the warm Northern Atlantic Drift and the cold Labrador current, resulting in rapid plankton growth and rich fish waters.

Fishing is both inshore and offshore, with the main catch being cod, haddock, and sardines. Inshore fishing is carried out by small boats called dories, while offshore fishing, centered on Halifax, St. John, and Lunenburg, is undertaken by large vessels which stay at sea up to three weeks.

Importance of fishing industry in Canada:

1. It has created employment opportunities.
2. It is a source of income, contributing to government revenue and individual income.
3. It has encouraged industrial development by providing capital and raw materials for fertilizers and margarine.
4. It has stimulated the development of transport and communication. Some ports have developed as fishing ports used for exporting fish.
5. Some towns have grown due to fishing industries, especially along coastal areas.
6. It has led to the development of tourism, with some tourists engaging in sport fishing.
7. It is a source of food, providing protein necessary for health and growth.

Problems facing the fishing industry in Canada:

These include overfishing, diseases attacking fish, water pollution due to industrial waste, and small internal markets due to a small population.

FISHING IN RUSSIA

Russia is continually expanding its sea fisheries, excluding Japanese fleets on the Pacific border. The agreement for high sea fisheries of the Northwest Pacific Ocean was concluded with Japan to restrict open water fishing freedom.

The bulk of the catch in Russia is salmon from the Kuriles, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka. Other fish caught include pollack, tuna, sardine, cod, mackerel, sharks, and whales. Russia is the leading whaling nation in the world, followed by Japan.

Large quantities of freshwater fish including sturgeon, eels, carps, trout, and salmon are also caught in Siberian rivers and the Caspian Sea. The expansion of Russian fishing has often been to the disadvantage of longer-established fishing nations, especially Norway.

The success of the fishing industry in Russia has been due to:

1. The government’s drive to increase fish output by expanding the fishing area.
2. Availability of many fish varieties due to good cool ocean waters.
3. Ready market within and outside the country.
4. The use of advanced technology in fishing.
5. Restrictions against interference from other nations like Japan and Norway.

FISHING IN EAST AFRICA

East Africa has both marine and freshwater fishing activities. Some fish species found include Nile perch, tilapia, marlin, Limnothrissa (dagga), cod, haddock, sole, plaice, mullet, crustaceans, prawns, eel fish, and trout.

Problems facing the fishing industry in East Africa

Despite many water bodies and a long coastal strip, East Africa has not developed an advanced fishing industry due to the following reasons:

1. Poor fishing methods due to low technology levels. Some methods like poisonous chemicals and dynamite are destructive to fish species and habitats. Others, such as hand lines and baskets, are too simple and yield poor catches.
2. Most fishermen lack capital to invest in advanced fishing methods.
3. Fishermen do not cooperate for advice and financial support.
4. Tropical waters are too saline and warm, discouraging high fish reproduction. Fish quality is poor and unpalatable.
5. The continental shelf is narrow, limiting fishing grounds.
6. Low internal market due to poverty and external market competition from other countries.
7. Volume fluctuations in water bodies have handicapped the industry.
8. Poor research activities on fish resources.
9. Environmentalists restrict fish projects due to concerns about forest destruction and water pollution.
10. Inadequate infrastructure, including poor roads and storage facilities.
11. Waterborne diseases affect fishermen and fish, leading to industry decline.
12. Poor government support.
13. High population has accelerated overfishing and illegal fishing in protected areas.
14. Dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippopotamuses attack fishermen and eat fish.
15. Introduction of new species has led to the disappearance of native species, e.g., Nile perch in Lake Victoria has decreased tilapia populations.
16. Water pollution from waste disposal and oil spills prevents oxygen from entering water bodies; hot water causes abrupt temperature rises.
17. Poor power supply.

Measures to solve the problems facing the fishing industry in East Africa

1. Improve processing and storage methods, such as using refrigerators. Smoking plants for fish preservation have been introduced in Zanzibar and a fish freezing center in Kigoma.
2. Encourage fishermen to form cooperatives for easier assistance in education and financial support.
3. Initiate training of fisheries officers.
4. Use mass media programs to educate people on conserving fish resources.
5. Control pollution with strict monitoring systems.
6. Restock overfished grounds, especially along the East African coast.
7. Expand fish farming (aquaculture) and establish more fish hatcheries.
8. Intensify research on fisheries to understand habitats, feeding habits, and ocean salinity.
9. Establish international agreements on fisheries and identify fishing region boundaries to avoid interference and mismanagement.
10. Educate farmers and fishermen on better fishing methods to achieve sustainable fishing techniques.

FISHING FARMING IN EAST AFRICA

Fish farming or aquaculture is the practice of rearing selected fish species in ponds or tanks at or near homesteads. These are constructed near large water bodies like lakes and rivers.

In Kenya, there are estimated to be some 30,000 fish ponds in western Kenya alone, but only about 3,000 are in operation. Fish farming is supported by hatcheries where farmers buy fingerlings.

Fish farming needs careful attention. Fish must be well fed, and ponds kept clean. In Kenya, most fish farms and hatcheries are owned and run by individuals, but some companies are also involved.

Advantages of fish farming:

1. Ensures an increased and constant supply of fish in the country.
2. Is a source of income since fish can be sold both domestically and internationally.
3. Utilizes idle land, making it productive.
4. Solves the problem of overfishing in large water bodies.
5. Produces fish of good size and quality due to careful attention by farmers.
6. Reduces water pollution problems since ponds are kept clean.
7. Encourages the development of trade and tourism.

General importance of fishing industry to the respective countries

1. Provides food as a source of protein.
2. Provides foreign currency when fish is exported.
3. Contributes to national income.
4. Helps diversify the economy instead of relying on a mono-economy, which is risky.
5. Provides employment.
6. Encourages industrial development by supplying raw materials and capital.
7. Promotes living standards by providing a balanced diet and improving social services.
8. Leads to tourism development, especially through sport fishing.

General problems facing the fishing industry

1. Overfishing due to population growth and indiscriminate fishing tools.
2. Water pollution from industrial waste discharge, with mercury concentration a problem in Japan.
3. Many developing countries use inefficient traditional methods, resulting in low annual catch.
4. Poor transport, communication, preservation, and processing facilities.
5. Low or inadequate capital for investment.

Management and conservation measures

1. Stop fishing immature fish by introducing good fishing facilities.
2. Protect water bodies from pollution by preventing harmful waste discharge.
3. Restock overfished water bodies to maintain fishing activities.
4. Encourage artificial fertilization of eggs to promote fishing activities.
5. Promote fish farming to avoid overfishing and improve fish supply quality.
6. Organize more research to understand fish, fish farming, and conservation techniques.
7. Establish international agreements on fisheries and fishing region boundaries to avoid interference and mismanagement.
8. Educate farmers and fishermen on better fishing methods to achieve sustainable fishing.