Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Mar 19;7(3):e06523.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06523. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Impact of irrigation practices on Gilgel Abay, Ribb and Gumara fisheries, Tana Sub-Basin, Ethiopia

Dagnew Mequanent  1   2 , Minwyelet Mingist  2 , Abebe Getahun  3 , Wassie Anteneh  4
Affiliations

Impact of irrigation practices on Gilgel Abay, Ribb and Gumara fisheries, Tana Sub-Basin, Ethiopia

Dagnew Mequanent et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

In Ethiopia, particularly in Tana Sub-Basin, irrigation development practice is increasing. However, this development ignored the fisheries; no, enough information about its effects. The sub-basin is rich in fisheries, including the 17 Labeobarbus species (the only remaining cyprinid species in the world). The fishery is also supporting over 6000 fishers. Hence, this study investigated the impact of irrigation practices on the Gilgel Abay, Ribb, and Gumara fisheries. Methods include fish sampling below and above the weirs, expert interviews, key informant interviews, secondary data, and impact significance matrix methods. The data collection time was from July 2019 to June 2020. The analysis of the data was qualitative and quantitative. The existing irrigation system affects fisheries by blocking upstream spawning migration routes (Gilgel Abay Weir and Ribb Dam, for sure catch below the Gilgel Abay Weir, significantly higher than above the weir, Shannon Index (H'), P < 0.001). Besides, according to local sources, after 2007, Gumara and Ribb Rivers became seasonal because of excessive water abstraction for irrigation, resulting in mass fish-killing and the failure of juvenile recruitment to the lake. In one instance, we recorded the deaths of over 930 adults and juveniles on the Gumara and the Ribb Rivers. Succeeding low water volume, even non-fishers collect fish from the pools; and during spawning time, fishers target spawning migratory species at the weirs where the catch is prime is also the other problem. Other threatening elements can also aggravate the impact. Hence, these impacts need to be ameliorated by practicing efficacious water use, catchment treatment, fishery management, fish ladder development, and factor alleviation can be solutions.

Keywords: Fish migration; Habitat degradation; Inappropriate irrigation use; Labeobarbus spp.; Sustaining riverine fisheries; Water use conflict.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average rainfall pattern of Tana Sub- Basin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Map of the study area and sampling sites.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Water abstraction using motor pumps in Ribb and its tributary, Marza (mostly rivers dry from March to May).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Average water flow rate (mean, maximum and minimum) of Gilgel Abay, Ribb and Gumara Rivers in each month (Source: meteorological data).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Fish ladder at Ribb Weir, on Ribb River.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Observed dead fish at Marza River, end of March 2020.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Labeobarbus species trying to jump over the Gilgel Abay Weir (a) and at the same time fishers targeting fish below the weir (b) (September 2019).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Abebe B.W., Tilahun A.S., Moges M.M., Dersseh G.M., Nigatu A., Mihiret A.D., Tammo S.S., Marc Van C., Kristine W., Michael E., McClain Hydrological foundation as a basis for a holistic environmental flow assessment of tropical highland rivers in Ethiopia. Artic. Water. 2020
    1. ADSWE: LUPESP . Bahir Dar; Ethiopia: 2015. Tana Sub-Basin Land Use Planning and Environmental Study Projects: Fisheries and Wetlands Resource Assessment.
    1. Adugna F.G. Environmental impact assessment in Ethiopia: a general review of history, transformation and challenges hindering full implementation. J. Environ. Earth Sci. 2016;6(1) ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
    1. Alessandra G., Tisorn S. IFAD; 2018. Impact of Modern Irrigation on Household Production Andwelfare Outcomes.
    1. ANRS . Zikre-Hig Gazette; Amhara National Regional State, Bahir Dar: 2007. Fisheries Resource Development, protection, and Utilization (Regulation No.50/2007)

LinkOut - more resources