Participatory management of fisheries resources of Lake Nakuwa in Pallisa District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study focused on participatory fisheries management on Lake Nakuwa in Pallisa district. The study was based on three major variables, that is, access and management of the fisheries resources, factors influencing participatory fisheries management and its impact to household income. The research design used was cross-sectional and questionnaires and interview guides were the major tools of data collection. It was revealed that despite, participatory management of fisheries resources there was limited access. The study revealed that the local community participated in fisheries management through planning, joint inspection of gill net mesh and fish size, formulation of bye-laws and gazeting of breeding grounds. Various factors were identifies to influence participatory fisheries management and the most outstanding one was provision of incentive structures in the management committees. The fishing activity was ranked by respondents as the greatest contributor to household income as indicated by 63% response. There is need for policy makers and all relevant authorities to encourage the fishing community to actively participate in management of the fisheries resources and mobilize a wide range of actors to improve and expand participatory fisheries management.