JESS report on fisheries

The goals of this fishery assessment were to describe the status of the fisheries in the Jubba [Juba] Valley, identify effects of the proposed dam on the fish populations in the Jubba [Juba] River, and discuss fishery development and management issues relevant to the Jubba [Juba] Valley. The preliminary consultancy consisted of 2 field trips. The first, from the mouth of the Jubba [Juba] River to the Faanoole Barrage, took place from 6 to 20 October 1986. The second, from Saakow to Luuq, was conducted from 30 October to 17 November 1986. Field notes from the first trip are included in Appendix A of this report. A second consultancy was completed between 22 March and 17 May 1987. Five field trips were conducted during this period. Three of these trips sampled fish populations in the Jubba [Juba] Valley. The other 2 assessed fishery potential and observed fishing activities at the Johar Reservoir on the Shabeelle River. A Somali fishery biologist was trained in rotenone chemofishing during these trips. Ichthyomass (fish biomass) was estimated to be 350 to 1250 kg per ha, using an 80% confidence interval. Approximately 20 fish species were collected during the study. Based on predictive models, the annual sustained harvest could be 1,600 MT, with a potential value of US $900,000. (Author abstract)