Fisheries of Jemma and Wonchit Rivers: As a Means of Livelihood Diversification and its Challenges in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is uniquely rich in water resources. It has numerous water bodies including ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and wetlands. As a landlocked country following the secession of Eritrea in 1993, fisheries in Ethiopia come exclusively from inland sources. The inland water body of Ethiopia is estimated to encompass about 7,400 km2 of lake area and a total river length of about 7,000 km.

Fish is an important food item that has significant socioeconomic contribution as a source of income, employment and cheap protein for marginal people in developing countries including Ethiopia. Inland fisheries are particularly important for the food security of poor people, as most inland fish production goes for subsistence or local consumption. It was estimated that more than 56 million people were directly involved in inland fisheries in the developing world in 2009. Fisheries are one of livelihood strategies that have contributed much to people in developing countries. It is one of the vital strategies for the poor to achieve food, income and other social benefits. For instance, it serves as an important source of diet for over one billion people