Fishing refers to the harvesting of fish from water for use directly as
food at home or for sale in the market.
Fishing can be done in lakes, oceans, rivers or ponds. A fishing ground is an area where fishing is carried out
METHODS OF INLAND FISHING
Inland fishing is carried out in freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers and
fish farms (ponds) located on the main inland fishing grounds in Kenya.
• Lakes: Victoria, Turkana, Naivasha, Jipe and Baringo.
• Rivers: Tana, Yala, Sagana, Nzoia and Nyando.
• Dams: Masinga and Kiambere.
• Fish farms: Naromoru, Nanyuki, Borabu, Bamburi and Aruba.
Methods of inland fishing include:
Harpooning or spear method. - this is mostly done in clear
water. Fishermen catch fish by spearing them. A spear is aimed at the fish in the water. It is a method used in catching a few fish for home use.
Net drifting - a net is placed vertically in a lake. The net is
supported by floats at the top and has weights at the bottom. Fish
swim into the net and get trapped and cannot move.
Lamp attraction method - lamps are lit in boats over the water
surface to attract fish at night. As the fish move towards the
light, they are caught using baskets and nets. This method is
commonly used in Lakes like Victoria, Turkana to catch small
fish like Omena
Hook and line method- a string with a hook on the head is tied to
a rod. A bait is then put on the hook, which is dipped into the
water. The bait could be a piece of meat or an insect. The fish get
attracted to the bait and are caught by the hook. Only one fish is
caught at a time.
Use of baskets - a conical-shaped basket is pushed into the river
where the water flows very fast. After some time, the basket is
removed from the water with whatever may have got in. This
method is used in rivers and near banks of lakes
Contribution of fishing to the economy of Kenya
➔ Tourist attraction - tourists come to Kenya to do fishing as a sport and for
enjoyment.
➔ Fish is exported to earn the country foreign exchange.
➔ Fish is a source of food e.g. source of protein.
➔ Fishing is a source of employment for many e.g. in industries that
process fish, fish farms.
➔ It's a source of income- selling fish earns fishermen income thus
improving their living standards.
➔ Fish is a source of medicine - fish contains the cod liver that is used as
medicine.
➔ Fishing has led to the growth of other dependent industries that make
fertilizers, animal feeds and fish processing.
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