A total of 11,367 tons of fish were harvested from Nigat Lake at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, significantly exceeding the regional target. The Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Agriculture Bureau announced that the initial harvest projection for the period was 9,665 tons. This notable surge in productivity highlights the reservoir’s emerging status as a vital economic hub, drastically outperforming the 5,893 tons produced in the previous 2017 fiscal year.
According to regional fisheries expert Mr. Bushen Fufa, the record-breaking harvest represents a substantial leap forward for the local economy. Speaking to Bisrat Radio, Mr. Fufa attributed the rising yields to the active participation of private investors and newly organized youth cooperatives. The strategic utilization of Nigat Lake’s expansive aquatic ecosystem has transformed the regional fisheries sector into a major supplier for national markets.
Currently, 88 fishing associations have been legally established around the reservoir to capitalize on the burgeoning resource. Out of these, 46 cooperatives have successfully commenced active fishing operations, mobilizing a total of 1,531 registered members. The active workforce includes 1,000 male and 55 female cooperative members directly participating in the daily harvests.
Despite the positive production trends, the sector faces structural bottlenecks as 42 organized associations remain completely inactive. Local officials cited severe capacity limitations, including a shortage of modern fishing nets, motorized boats, and essential cold-chain transport, as the primary reasons preventing these groups from launching operations.
To address these imbalances, the regional government, in partnership with private stakeholders, has initiated targeted capacity-building programs. Efforts are currently underway to supply the remaining cooperatives with necessary gear and technical training. Authorities hope that strengthening these associations will stabilize regional supply chains and secure equitable economic opportunities for all organized youth in the zone.
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