Socioeconomic Facet of Fisheries Management in Hombolo Dam, Dodoma - Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Vol 90, No. 1 (2021) 67-81

SOCIOECONOMIC FACET OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN HOMBOLO DAM, DODOMA - TANZANIA

Gayo, Leopody

Department of Biology, University of Dodoma Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Assessment of fisheries activities in Sustainable practices have been a global socioeconomic context is paramount if to questionable topic in the natural resources guarantee adaptive co-management of the management. Water bodies like other resources. The study investigated the status environmental components are potential of fishing activities and documented the resources suffering devastating drivers threatening fish stock in the environmental pressure beyond their Hombolo Man-made Dam between January resilience capacity (Mulimbwa 2006; and October 2019. Semi-structured Carpenter and Kleinjans 2016). Scientific interviews, Focus group discussion, Key advice on the observance of fish limits to informants interviews, direct field ensure adherence on the Total Allowable observations and documentary review were Catch (TAC) for commercial fish stock has employed to collect data. Content analysis, not been respected (Mkama et al., 2010; Statistical Package for Social Sciences Glaser et al. 2018). Overfishing in the version 20 and ERDAS software were used Atlantic regions has been documented to be to analyze data. Results show the decline in attributed by the disregarding of TAC amount of fish harvested (AFH) by 72.5% at among Fisheries Ministers; For instance, in β ± SE: -0.99 ± 0.14, t=-3.05, p = 0.003 2016, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden allowed between 2011 and 2019. Similarly, number fishing at 26%, 24%, and 23%, respectively, of fishermen and fishing boats decreased by the percentage observed to be beyond their 67% at -0.36 ± 0.71, t=-0.24, p = 0.016 and TAC as per scientific advice (Carpenter 53% at -0.58 ± 0.21, t=-1.33, p = 0.006 2018). Demand for food and employment as respectively between 2005-2019. The well as waste production due to exponential observed decrease in AFH, fishermen and human population growth in Africa have fishing vessels perceived to imply the created irresistible threats to aquatic life decline in the dam fish stock. Overfishing, across the continent (Machumu and population increase, poverty and inadequate Yakupitiyage 2013; Nunan et al. 2018). law enforcement were perceived as drivers Habitat loss, waste discharge, decline in of fish stock attenuation. The study water quality and increased predation recommends further assessment of the dam pressure are some of the adverse impacts ecology for effective fish restocking and caused by anthropogenic activities to many provisioning of environmental education water bodies impairing specific needs to fish along with effective law enforcement for species (Van-der 2013; URT 2016). sustainable management of the dam. Scientific studies including official Key words: Overfishing; Population documents and field visits have revealed growth; Irrigation farming; Land cover/land several environmental impacts due to use change and Hombolo Man-made Dam. inadequate regulatory frame works during implementation of developmental programs

(Nielsen and Holm 2007). Non- environmental Projects introduced in or around water courses have resulted into

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decrease in water level and quality, conservation efforts of aquatic natural destruction and loss of riparian vegetation resources (Van-der et al. 2014, Mkumbo and aquatic life (Njiru et al. 2014), slope and Marshall 2015). instabilities and disruption of underground Hombolo Man-made Dam (HMD) situated water resource due to tunneling in Dodoma has the historical background of (Government of Malawi 2010). A notable sustaining the local livelihood in the range example is the establishment of of fishing, irrigation farming as well as developmental projects in fragile landscape water consumption for domestic use and and ecosystems such as wetlands in livestock since its establishment in 1957 by Uttarakhand, India that has adversely the colonial government (URT 2013). impacted biodiversity and produce However, since 2005 the dam has been environmental degradation (Pomeroy et al. experiencing acute decline in its potentials 2001). Increased wetlands degradation, lack towards the targeted objectives (Shemsanga of proper land-use and management plans, et al. 2017). The depth of the dam has absence of restoration plans for degraded decreased leading to decline in water wetlands and limited funds for enforcement volume and low fish harvests (Turner et al. of the existing guidelines are major 2019). Following the promotion of grape challenges hampering conservation efforts irrigation farming in Dodoma district, the of wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa motivated grape producers in Hombolo ward (Nielsen and Holm 2007). Therefore, such are competing to the available scarce water improper environmental management of in the dam (Shemsanga et al. 2015). water bodies has contributed to loss of Livestock herders with their stocks evicted livelihood potentials from water resources, from Dodoma urban migrate towards rural and loss of essential ecological and areas including Hombolo ward as it is hydrological functions (Pomeroy et al. remotely located from city centre (Soka et 2016). al. 2013). Consequently, increases in Regarding Tanzania, destruction of fish livestock population in Hombolo ward roam habitat and environmental degradation of along the buffer zones and shorelines of the shorelines, inadequate fish assemblages, HMD seeking for green pasture and water inefficient harvesting systems, stakeholder (Turner et al. 2019). Despite the HMD being conflicts, as well as lack of institutional and potential in supporting livelihoods of political will are the main challenges in thousands of people inhabiting in and maintaining and enhancing fisheries basin outside Hombolo ward particularly on food and accruing associated socioeconomic security and protein supply, less is benefits (Nielsen and Holm 2007, Pomeroy documented about the adverse impacts of et al. 2016). Fisheries officers experience socioeconomic activities on the dam fish difficulties in articulating conservation stock. Few researches assessed the causes of interests against developmental decisions increased salinity in the dam (Shemsanga et affecting aquatic environments (Lynch et al. al. 2017) and providing evidence of native 2017). Lack of reliable economic valuation tilapia extinction due to stocking (Turner et and political thump by the users has resulted al. 2019). Therefore, considering the into poor representation and perhaps integrity of Dodoma city, improving food neglecting the needs of fisheries managers security and protein sources through within existing political frameworks (Van- effective management of fishing activities to der 2013). The multi-sectoral nature of enhance fish stocks in the nearby water water resources development in the context bodies like HMD is paramount. It is with of socio-economic development has not this background the present study was been recognized and addressed in harmony carried out to assess the status of fishing (Nunan 2010). Thus, lucrative investments activities and document the perceived have undermined the management and drivers threatening fish stock in the dam.

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The way forward to rescue this important al. 2015). Due to unreliable rainfall, the area asset is provided. has scanty vegetation such as shrubs, grasses as well as conspicuous baobab and acacia

trees. The study focused on the HMD MATERIALS AND METHODS (Figure 1) established with 18 km2 in 1957 The study was done in Hombolo ward to reduce the effects of flooding used to within Dodoma Municipality, located happen during wet season (DMC, 2011). It between Latitudes 6.00 and 6.30 South, and is primarily used by inhabitants of Hombolo Longitude 35.30 and 36.02 East (Shemsanga ward for fishing, irrigation, domestic use et al. 2017). The area is within a semi-arid and livestock. Thus, the prime economic region with low uni-modal annual rainfall of activities in the study area are farming and about 550-600mm per annum, which falls livestock keeping (Shemsanga et al. 2017). between December and April each year The dam is inhabited by two species of fish (Namwata et al. 2015). Mean daily to include tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) temperature is lowest (13.0ᵒC) in July and and catfish (Clarias gariepinus). highest (30.6ᵒC) in November with annual mean temperatures of 29ᵒC (Shemsanga et

Figure 1: Map of Dodoma District showing the study villages. Source: Institute of Resources Assessment GIS lab, University of Dar es Salaam.

A cross-sectional research design was = 384.16 ≈ 384 employed as it allows collection of data Due to limited resources available in terms from selected individuals to represent the of time, manpower and finance, the sample general population at a time about the size of 300 respondents was used for information of interest (Punch, 2014). Poate household questionnaire survey for three and Daplyn (1993) formula was used to villages of Zepisa, Hombolo-bwawani and determine the sample size for the study: Ipala. Through stratified random sampling n = Z2 C2 Where; n = sample size used, within the ward, 10% of the respondents were sampled from each study village Z = 1.96 at 95% confidence interval (Table 1) as per human population statistics X2 C = 50%, variation within the population (DMC, 2011). as no previous studies were found Systematic Random sampling was used to X =5%, estimated level of accuracy. identify the households as the sampling Thus, units in the study villages. Participants for (1.96)2(50)2 푛 = (5)2 69

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focus group discussions (FGD) and key bush land, grassland, cultivated land, informants interviews (KII) were settlement and wetland/dam were defined purposively sampled based on their adequate through the satellite images with inherent knowledge and specialization in relation to elements like size, color, shape, shadow, the subject under investigation texture, association and pattern in order to carry out image interpretation. Arc GISv10 Table 1: Sample size was used to convert raster data into vector Population Villages Sample data followed by actual analysis to yield the surveyed output which were finally analyzed in the Zepisa 986 95 Arc map. The land cover/ land use types Ipala 892 85 detected were generated in excel file to Hombolo-bwawani 1316 120 identify changes presented in hectares and Total 3194 300 percentages in the forms of table.

. A total of 10 FGDs involving about 80 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION individuals were carried out across the study Socioeconomic characteristics of the area focusing on all community groups respondents (youth, women, adult males and elders) each Data on socioeconomic characteristics one addressed separately as they perceive varied across the study villages (Table 2). things differently. KIIs were administered to Majority of the respondents were males seven (7) participants to include 1 Municipal (76%, n=300) the scenario that could have Fisheries Officer, 1 Municipal Livestock been attributed by the fact that males are the officer, 1 Municipal Agricultural Officer, 1 households’ heads in the study area hence Ward Executive officer and 3 Village responsible for speaking on the matters Executive Officers from the selected study related to family issues. As for age, 79% villages. Qualitative data such as descriptive were of 18-50 years old depicting the statements about fishing process and other population to be most economically active. related anthropogenic activities occurring in Regarding education, the study area is the dam were analyzed through template characterized by high illiteracy level technique in which relevant information was especially on matters requiring broad translated and categorized into various understanding and critical thinking. This is themes and sub-themes as per study due to high population (82%) had only objectives. Afterward, quantitative data either informal or primary education. from questionnaires mainly factors Farming is the main (69%) economic threatening the dam and measures to be activity in the area. taken to rescue it were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Fishing activities in Hombolo Dam Sciences (SPSS). Obtained data were Hombolo Dam at present supports fishing presented in tables and figures. activities to about 40 permanent, full-time The Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical fishermen and more than 50 part-time Information System (GIS) tools were used fishermen. Simple fishing gears are used to analyze vegetation cover changes in the including traps, hooks, cast nets, gill nets, study area between 1990 and 2018. The seine nets, dugout canoes and dhows. downloaded satellite images from USGS However, some use wooden boats with website were processed in ERDAS Imagine engines. Fishing nets are set in the evening 15 software followed by image classification and left overnight in the dam to be hauled in that involved errors reduction to enhance the morning while other carryout fishing image brightness for proper interpretation during day and/or night, constantly and analysis of the digital images. The monitoring the nets and retrieving them after existing land covers/land use such as forest,

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every few hours. The use of seine nets 2019 (Figure 2). The records for years caches adults and juvenile fishes in the dam. before 2011 were missing. The trend in Regarding fish catch, the study found out AFH depicts the significant decline of that, Hombolo dam has been progressively 72.5% at β ± SE: -0.99 ± 0.14, t=-3.05, p = declining in the amount of fish harvested 0.003 between 2011 and 2019. (AFH) from 109 tons in 2011 to 30 tons in Table 2: Socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents Sex (%) Age categories (%) Education level (%) Economic activities (%) Villages M F 18-34 35-50 >50 IE PE SE C/U FA LI FI O Zepisa 72 23 36.7 45.3 18 41.4 45 12 1.6 74.7 6.3 17 2 Hombolo- 96 34 31 44 25 14.6 61 19.4 5 65 15 16 4 bwawani Ipala 70 15 31 49 20 33 53 10 4 66.4 12.6 18 3 Total 228 72 98.7 138.3 63 87 159 41.4 12.6 206.1 33.9 51 9 Average 76 24 32.9 46.1 21 29 53 13.8 4.2 68.7 11.3 17 3 n=sample, IE=informal education, PE=primary education, SE=secondary education, C/U=college/university, FA=farming, LI=livestock keeping, FI=fishing, O=others. Source: Field data, 2017

Where: AFH= Amount of Fish Harvested, 1=2011, 2=2012, 3=2013, 4=2014, 5=2015, 6=2016, 7=2017, 8=2018, 9=2019 years Figure 2: Historic trend of fish harvested in Hombolo Dam between 2011 and 2019. Source: Dodoma Municipal Office, 2019

Decrease in fish productivity within the dam The concequences of loss in fish stocks in was also revealed through FGD as one of the study area prompted some fishermen to the discussant stated that, “the plummet in leave the dam. Statistics shows that number fish catch per effort in Hombolo dam is of fishermen and that of fishing boats has a apparent, in the past it was common for a signficant declines of 67% at -0.36 ± 0.71, fisherman to catch about 100kg of fish per t=-0.24, p = 0.016 and 53% at -0.58 ± 0.21, day unlike now where sometimes even to get t=-1.33, p = 0.006 respectively between 3kg per day is rarely possible”. Decline in 2005-2019 (Table 3). Such decrease in HMD fish stocks could be due to increased fishing activities could entails that the dam illegal fishing and sedimentation in the dam is no longer capable to sustain the livelihood that affect the breeding sites for fish. of local communities especially fishermen. Through FGD, participants asserted that fishermen fall into three main categories

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such as migrant fishermen, fishermen in fishermen number as majority were farmers and sedentary fishermen. The migrant fishermen who left HMD to other migrant fishermen are solely depending on fishing areas. fishing activity while the fishermen farmers Perceived drivers of decline of fish stock are engaged in both farming and fishing. The last category (sendentary fishermen) do Overfishing was mentioned by the majority opt fishing activity when the fish stock is (39%) of the respondents as the major abundant otherwise they switch solely on reason for decreased fish stock in the study agriculture or any other livelihood area (Figure 3). strategies. Decrease in fishing activity due to low dam productivity resulted into decline

Table 3: Njmber of Fishermen and Boats at Hombolo Dam between 2005-2017

Year

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Fishermen 127 112 105 97 95 98 90 95 87 60 48 57 51 53 42 Boats 83 83 81 64 64 64 64 59 53 47 44 45 45 39 39 Source: Dodoma Municipal Office, 2019

Figure 3: Major drivers of fish stock decline in HMD perceived by respondents

Respondents attributed overfishing with the being harvested from the dam as shown in use of destructive fishing gears such as figure 4 while the recommendable size for fishing traps and seine nets which were harvesting is 250mg (15cm) for tilapia common in the HMD. The study observed (URT 2016). undersize fish of approximately 15mg (6cm)

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native tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis), the dam experiences fishing of the undersize introduced two non-native tilapia species (O. niloticus and O. esculentus) between 2014 and 2017. Human population increase, as perceived by 27% of the respondents, was another factor for the observed decline of fish stock in HMD (Figure 3). Over the past decades the study area experiences a constant human population increase (Figure 5). It was reported that Hombolo Division is the only area with highest household size (4.6) in Dodoma City with sex ratio of 1:1 (URT 2012). The observed population growth could suggest high fertility level and/or Figure 4: Fisherman with under size fish increased immigration. As for immigration, from Hombolo Dam the increased grape irrigation farming and Harvesting of undersized fish from HMD socioeconomic development ignited by was also reported by Turner et al. (2019) introduction of Local Government Training that despite stocking efforts for fishery Institute at Hombolo were identified as the enhancement resulting to local extinction of main drivers.

Figure 5: Human population in Hombolo division and Dodoma City Council. Source: Socioeconomic profile for Dodoma City Council, 2015

Despite the high salinity of water in the activities. The mentioned activities being Hombolo dam (Shemsanga et al. 2017), the unregulated have induced high pressure to observed population growth supported the the dam interfering its natural capacity of diversity of socioeconomic activities fish production. For instance, for more than directly depending on the dam. These a decade the dam has been experiencing include grape irrigation farming, livestock intensive illegal fishing throughout a year. watering, domestic water supply and fishing

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This situation does not allow fish to grow to amount of water to be abstracted from the reach maturity for effective reproduction. dam for irrigation is 7150 liters per hour. The study observed that most of the local communities surrounding the Hombolo dam are heavily engaged in grape irrigation farming (Figure 6) such that about 684 farmers have cultivated more than 300 hectares. The existence of growing market for grape and its related products (Kalimang`asi et al. 2014) has influenced the grape irrigation farming among many farmers in Dodoma Municipality including Hombolo ward. For that reason, there has been increasing drawing of water from the dam for irrigation purposes a situation that has resulted to a significant decrease in water level hence threatening fish growth Figure 7. Meter recording the water level and reproduction. According to the in Homboloward Municipal Fisheries Officer, it was agreed But he said that, currently the amount of that the farmers were required to draw out water abstracted from the dam for grape only the excess water overflowing above the irrigation is approximately twice the allowed meter level placed on the outlet (Figure 7) quantity. and watering the farms was suggested to be once a week to avoid over draining out of The areas used to be over flooded in the past the dam. is now apparently dry due to excessive water abstraction. The observed decrease of water level in HMD due to over draining of water for irrigation farming had also indirect effect on fishing activity. Through FGD it was revealed that some fishermen after realizing more potential in grape farming than fishing they turned on farming that increased water abstraction from the dam. Municipal Agricultural officer stated that “within the period of five years ago there has been a significant increase in number and size of irrigated farm fields”. The constant drawing Figure 6. Grape Irrigation farming in of much water from the dam every day for Hombolo irrigation farming especially during dry season could be the main factor contributing But the study observed that the high water to the observed decrease in dam water level. demand for the considerable development of The findings concur with the study by irrigation violated the rule such that farmers Lynch et al. (2017) reported that the are draining out the dam whenever they ecological status as well as trends of rivers want to irrigate irrespective the water level. and wetlands in Tanzania is critically Despite that, there is no formal policy for threatened by the mega irrigation schemes water abstraction from the dam, the diverging water from seasonal rivers. Such Municipal Agricultural officer clarified that process hampers the conservation efforts of they agreed among users that, the allowable sensitive freshwater and wetland habitats supporting wide range of aquatic life.

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Increase in cultivated land use and decrease same period the cultivated land and in vegetation cover detected through RS and settlement increased by 8550 ha (or 43.4%) GIS tools in the study area confirmed the and 709 ha (or 35.3%) respectively entailing increased agricultural activities including indirect effect of population growth. The grape irrigation farming reported through a land cover/land use changes recorded by the household survey (Table 4). For instance, present study could imply the increased between 1990 and 2018 area cover in forest, pressure on the natural resources bush land and grassland declined by -76 ha (vegetation) among communities around (or -8.9%), -14477 ha (or -59.3%), -4769 ha HMD. (or -65.9%) respectively. Similarly, in the

Table 4: Land cover/land use changes in the study area during 1990, 2005 and 2018 Cover in Ha Changes (Ha) 1990-2018 Changes (%) 1990-2018 Land use type 1990- 2005- 1990- 1990- 2005- 1990- 1990 2005 2018 2005 2018 2018 2005 2018 2018 Forest 935 905 859 -30 -46 -76 -3.21 -5.1 -8.9 Bush land 12,030 8,555 7,553 -3475 -1002 -4477 -28.9 -11.7 -59.3 Grassland 12,007 9,086 7,238 -2921 -1848 -4769 -24.3 -20.3 -65.9 Cultivated land 11,147 15,828 19,697 +4681 +3869 +8550 +42.0 +24.4 +43.4 Settlement 1,298 1,784 2,007 +486 +223 +709 +37.4 +12.5 +35.3 Wetland/dam 980 971 965 -9 -6 -15 -0.9 -0.6 -1.6 Total 38,334 38,334 38,334 Where; (+) means increased; (-) means decreased

Livestock grazing along the water banks and and eutrophication due to increased buffer zones of the dam exacerbated soil irrigation farming coupled with application erosion leading to high rate of of pesticides and fertilizers at Mto wa Mbu sedimentation. According to the Municipal and Mang’ola affected the biodiversity Fisheries Officer, the water depth has found in Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi decreased from 11.5m which was formally respectively (Yanda and Madulu 2005). known when the dam was established to less Therefore, adaptive and participatory than 5m to date. Livestock mobility along management approach by all relevant the shorelines of the dam disturbs and stakeholders is required for effective perhaps destroying fish breeding sites when conservation of water bodies against drinking water and grazing the riparian ongoing degradation. vegetation. The dam was estimated to Increased poverty among the local support about 3,573 cattle, 254 goats and 69 communities bordering the HMD was sheep but the livestock population increases another driver perceived by 20% of the during dry season. The study found that respondents (Figure 3). Like other natural population increase of both human and resources located in rural or semi-urban livestock coupled with non-environmental environment bordered by poor communities socioeconomic activities around HMD is the experience illegal off takes, the HMD major threat to aquatic life including fish suffers from extensive illegal fishing. Such stock. This finding is supported by other unregulated fishing was associated with similar studies elsewhere, for instance, abject poverty among some local people in Hongoa (2014) found that, the growing the study area. This was revealed through human population around lake Babati, focus group discussion as one of the Tanzania was the major driver of land use discussants states that, “we are engaging in changes and land cover changes affecting illegal fishing not because we don’t know biodiversity in and around the lake. Silting the negative consequences of it, but

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starvation and poverty drive us to do so.” control through regular patrol across the Similarly, Municipal Fisheries Officer dam could be the reason of the ongoing acknowledged that most of the accused unsustainable fishing. This finding is individuals for illegal fishing were the poor supported by other studies reporting lack of men and women who complained to engage joint efforts among responsible authorities in in overfishing just because of poverty. The regulating fishing activities across the results are supported by the report of country has excerbated overfishing. For international development agencies in 2002 instance, illegal, unreported and unregulated which estimated that more than 90% of the fishing devastated Nile perch biomass in 15,000,000 people in the world who depend lake victoria from 2,300,000 to 300,000 on small scale fishing are poor (FAO 2002). tonnes between 1999 and 2008 (Etiegni et Similarly, the findings are in consistent with al. 2011). Leuven (2020) reported decrease Bene (2004) who reported that poverty is in Lake Tanganyika fish stock by 25% endemic to fisheries and most of small-scale between 1995 and 2011 mainly due to use of fishing communities in developing countries illegal fishing gears. The mean catch per are the most disadvantaged group of the unit effort in northwest part of Lake rural societies. According to conventional Tanganyika decreased from 319.6 kg to wisdom theory by Copes (1989), the open 169.4 kg between 2012 and 2013 (Cirhuza access nature of the fisheries sector is the et al. 2015). Nyumba ya Mungu actual reason for poverty among fishermen hydroelectric dam used to produce 25,000 as it allows more and more people to enter metric tons of fish per year in 1970s, but the fishing sector leading to the economical and productivity decreased to about 11 metric biological overexploitation of the resources, tons in 2016 due to illegal fishing and collapse of the payment and finally drought (Glaser et al. 2018). Thus, for impoverishment of the fishing community. sustainable management of water bodies and Poverty in fisheries is thus linked to the the conservation of associated resources for intensity of utilization of the resource such improved livelihood development effective that over-exploitation happened in the past control of fish harvesting pattern is resulted to low fish catch and low income obligatory to combat the ongoing illegal consequently poverty. fishing across the country. Inadequate law Inadequate law enforcement was reported by enforcement in the study area led to an 11% of the respondents as another factor for encroachment of the dam buffer zones for the observed illegal and unregulated fishing settlements and farming despite the legal in the dam (Figure 3). The dam is subjected prohibition of using land of 60m from the to intensive fishing activities throught a year water bodies (URT 2014). Water usage from a situation that could have resulted to the the dam without proper observance enforcement of the sustainability principles observed overharvesting. One of the key informants asserted that, “lack of adequate induced localized pollution through fund to facilitate regular patrol in and domestic wastes. around the dam limits the effective Other factors perceived by the respondents management to combat illegal fishing. as the causes of fish stock decline in the Patroling fishing activities within the dam Hombolo dam include destruction of should be a continuos process, but it is done breeding sites due to poor fishing methods once for five to seven days within a quarter such as usage of beach seine. Stagnant of a year”. It was observed that illegal growth of fish as the dam has not been fishing gears such as beach seine are restocked (replanted) for many decades commonly used in the Hombolo dam. Beach since its establishment in 1957 and seine harvest even the undersize fish and decreased depth of the dam due to soil destroy the fish breeding sites (Wells, 2009). erosion and sedimentation exacerbated by The study revealed that lack of management increased anthropogenic activities in the

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shorelines were also reported to decrease and provisioning of environmental fish stock in the area. education (31.6%) were cited by the When respondents were asked to suggest majority of the respondents as the mechanisms of restoring the dam for appropriate means of controlling the sustainable conservation of the resources problem of overfishing and environmental found in it, various approaches were degradation in HMD (Figure 8). recommended. Closing of the dam (37%)

Figure 8: Suggestive measures to control environmental degradation in HMD

The Fisheries Officer clarified that, the prevent people who disregard the laws and Dodoma City Council in collaboration with destruct the resources. The study found that the Ministry of Livestock Development and understanding and attitudes among Fisheries are planning to close the dam respondents in the study area was not immediately after restocking the fingerings uniform. Some individuals are willing to to facilitate fish growth for the better and conserve the dam while others are sustainable harvests in future. However, it completely pessimistic and objectionable to was realized that, there is a need of carrying the HMD bylaws. This was clarified by the out a thorough study of dam ecological leaders of beach management units (BMU) assessment before fingering restocking for who are responsible for the dam patrol. One sustainable fisheries management. of the BMU-leaders cited that, "some Inadequate research fund limited the present villagers support the introduced dam study to explore the ecological aspect of the conservation initiatives and comply with the dam hence suggesting further investigation regulations for sustainable resources of the subject. utilization while others defy the rules and Through FGD, the discussants suggested engage in illegal activities threatening the that in the continuous bases environmental dam sustainability. Such argument can be education and regular patrol should explained by the fact that difference in accompany the process of fish restocking socioeconomic characteristics among rural and closing of the dam to create awareness members entails that local communities managing the communal natural resources among rural communities. Effective law have diverse interests towards the resources enforcement should be guaranteed to under conservation. It was observed that

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local people in the study area whose Regardless of the ongoing fish resources livelihood strategy (e.g., fishermen and degredation, some of the inhabitats of the irrigation farmers) is directly linked with the study area admitted to support improvement dam resources were relatively reluctant to of the dam conservation initiatives. This accept the idea of closing the dam. This provide an opportunity to responsible necessitate that sensitization program on the authorities to develop and enforce effective importance of dam closing should be done legal frameworks for the sustainable prior to actual process. The disparity among management of the fisheries resources in the rural dwellers on management of communal study area. Therefore, the study natural resources was also reported by recommends further investigation of the Hongoa (2014) that, illiterate, fishermen and dam ecological environment to ascertain the farmers around lake Babati, Tanzania were adverse impacts associated with ongoing highly involved in breaking the lake bylaws athropogenic activities, rehabilitation of the than other community groups. Therefore, for dam environment including fingerings effective management of natural resources restocking, provisioning of environmental through community engagement responsible education to the public about the impacts of authorities should consider the interests their malpractices along with effective law diversity among local people as an integral enforcement. determinant. Disregarding heterogeneity among community in decision making about conservation of communal resources impede REFERENCES the efforts and initiatives put forward to Bene, C. 2004. Poverty in Small-scale achieve the desired sustainable management. Fisheries: A Review and Some Further Thoughts. Poverty and CONCLUSION AND Small-Scale Fisheries in West RECOMMENDATION Africa, 190(208) Hombolo Man-made Dam has experienced Carpenter, G. 2018. Landing the blame: an acute decline in fish stock. Statistics from overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic Dodoma City Council indicated a substantial DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14650.64965 decrease in fish catch by 72.5% from 109 to Cirhuza, D.M., Micha, J., Ntakimazi, G. & 30 tons between 2011 and 2019. Due to Muderhwa, N. 2015. Brief reduced fish stock in the dam, fishing evaluation of the current state of fish activities also decreased as the number of stocks landed by artisanal fishing fishermen and fishing boats revealed do units from the extreme northwest decline by 67% and 53% between 2005 and part of Lake Tanganyika: 2019 respectively. Various factors revealed International Journal of Fisheries and to drive the decline of fish stock in the dam Aquatic Studies, 2(4): 41-48. to include overfishing, population increase, poverty and inadequate law enforcement. Copes, P. 1989. Why are fishing incomes Closing the dam, environmental education, often low? A critical review of the regulating water abstraction for irrigation conventional wisdom, 89-1, and enforcement of regular patrol were Burnaby, Canada: Institute of suggestive measures to rescue dam Fisheries Analysis, Simon Fraser resources against ongoing degradation. University, Discussion Paper 21. Therefore, the current study realized that Dodoma Municipal Council (DMC). 2011. fishing activities within the dam is less Socio Economic Profile for Dodoma organized, unregulated and done with little Municipality. supervision of the responsible authorities the http://dodomamc.go.tz/storage/app/ scenario attributed to overfishing.

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