KAWA MULTIMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
The Inland Fisheries (West Africa)
Fresh water fishing is carried out on many rivers of West Africa. The most intensively exploited rivers are Senegal and Niger. Other important sources of fresh water fish include lakes, swamps, fish ponds and farms. Some countries like Nigeria are encouraging their nationals to operate inland fish farms Mid fish ponds; for instance Lagos state alone has set aside nearly 1000 ha for fish ponds.
The most important fresh water fishing country in the region is Mali which gets much of its catch from River Niger and the adjoining lakes like Faguibine.
Mali's annual catch is estimated at about 100,000 tonnes. With such a large catch Mali exports surplus fish to other countries of West Africa like Ghana and Burkina Faso. Mali's fish exports are limited by lack of modern processing and preserving facilities. Much of the catch, including that for export is processed by smoking.
Ghana and Nigeria also get large catches from their inland sources. Major fishing grounds include Lake Volta in Ghana, and the middle section of River Niger, the Niger delta and Lake Kainji in Nigeria. Another important source of inland fish in West Africa is Lake Chad. Chad and Cameroon also get sizeable catches of fish from the Lagone and Chari river system.
The most important fresh water fishing country in the region is Mali which gets much of its catch from River Niger and the adjoining lakes like Faguibine.
Mali's annual catch is estimated at about 100,000 tonnes. With such a large catch Mali exports surplus fish to other countries of West Africa like Ghana and Burkina Faso. Mali's fish exports are limited by lack of modern processing and preserving facilities. Much of the catch, including that for export is processed by smoking.
Ghana and Nigeria also get large catches from their inland sources. Major fishing grounds include Lake Volta in Ghana, and the middle section of River Niger, the Niger delta and Lake Kainji in Nigeria. Another important source of inland fish in West Africa is Lake Chad. Chad and Cameroon also get sizeable catches of fish from the Lagone and Chari river system.