ANNEX 3 - Inception Report 3... · • Draft inception report • Elaboration of a preliminary...

"Strengthening Fisheries Management in ACP

Countries"

Project Funded by the European Union.

“This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this

publication are the sole responsibility of Prof Ian Cowx on behalf of Landell Mills and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.”

“The content of this document does not necessarily reflect the views of the concerned governments.”

ANNEX 3 - Inception Report

Fish Stock Assessment in Major Dams in Botswana

Project ref. N° SA-3.2- B15

Region: Southern Africa

Country: Botswana

June 2012

Assignment by:


Project Funded by the European Union A project implemented by Landell Mills pg. 2


Project ref. N° SA-3.2- B15

Name of individual consultant Professor Ian Cowx

Contents amendment record

This report has been issued and amended as follows:

Revision Description Date Signed

1 First draft 24/06/2012

2 Report 25/06/2012

Designed and produced at Landell Mills Ltd

Task Management by Charlotte Howell Quality Assurance by David Uglow

This report has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Landell Mills and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of

the European Union.



Contents

LIST OF ACRONYMS.......................................................................................................................... 4

SHORT BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 5

COMMENTS ON TERMS OF REFERENCE .................................................................................... 5

APPROACH TO THE ASSIGNMENT (METHODOLOGY) ........................................................... 6

SET UP AND MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL TEAM ............................................................... 7

PROPOSED WORK PLAN (INCLUDING TRAVEL PLAN OF EXPERTS) ................................ 8

RESULTS OF INITIAL DOCUMENT REVIEW, CONSULTATIONS AND TNA ETC ............ 10

KEY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED/SOLVED (IF ANY)................................................................ 14

RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 14

APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................................... 15



LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

ADSB Aquaculture Development Strategy for Botswana

ALCOM Local Community Development Programme

CBNRM Community Based Natural Resources Management

CEDA Citizen Enterprise Development Agency

DWNP Department of Wildlife and National Parks

FAO United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization

FD Fisheries Division

FMPOD Fisheries Management Plan of the Okavango Delta

NDP9 National Development Programme 9

SADC Southern African Development Community

ToR Terms of Reference

TNA Training Needs Assessment

WUC Water Utilities Corporation



Short Background The fisheries sector in Botswana is composed of inland fisheries and aquaculture. While the

contribution of the fisheries sector to the national economy is insignificant (0.002% of GDP), the

sector is certainly an important provider of income, employment and food security in some rural areas.

The majority of the national fish production (averaged about 155t) is from the Okavango aquatic

system where conflict between commercial fishers and recreational fishing promoters is a real

concern. Therefore other fishing and fisheries opportunities need to be developed to relieve the current

pressure on the existing fisheries whilst creating employment, generating income and also providing a

diverse, good quality diet for the rural communities and the population in general.

One possible opportunity is to exploit the fish stocks in dams and reservoirs, but their fishing potential

are not yet properly known. In the 1980s and 1990s an initiative was undertaken through the

Aquaculture for Local Community Development Programme (ALCOM) led by the Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO) to conduct preliminary surveys for assessing the potential for

developing fisheries in small water bodies in the southern part of Botswana. However, the

methodologies were unsustainable since there was no appropriate involvement of local communities

and not much was done with regard to capacity building. This project will provide Technical

Assistance to the Fisheries Division (FD) to carrying out a stock assessment in the major dams in the

country and to set up a monitoring system and provide training on the job to local concerned staff of

the FD/research institutes.

Purpose To assist the FD of the DWNP in undertaking a fish stock assessment in the selected dams in

order to determine the status of fish stocks; and

To strengthen FD capacity for continued monitoring to ensure sustainable utilization of

resources.

Outputs Preliminary study on the presence and abundance of the fish stocks in the major dams

(Gaborone, Shashe, Letsibogo, Bokaa, Nywane) is devised;

Guidelines for development of fish stock assessment/monitoring methodology are

prepared.

Comments on Terms of Reference Current fisheries in Botswana are limited to a few natural systems and four main, but relatively small,

dams. The dams are considered to be underexploited and opportunities to increase yield are likely.

However, care must be taken in such presumptions until the full market chain is understood. This

includes exploitation by subsistence fishers for their own consumption as well as distribution through

informal markets. These must form part of the assessment criteria before formulating policy to

increase exploitation pressure.

Previous attempts to develop methodologies for stock assessment in the reservoirs have proven

unsustainable since there was no appropriate involvement of local communities and little was done on

capacity building both within the communities and in FD and national institutions. These particular

elements will be addressed by identifying training needs at various levels and providing guidance to

address the shortcomings.

The project is orientated towards the five major dams in Botswana yet there are numerous (>300)

community dams. These are used for local fish production but are important resources that appear to

have been overlooked. Although it will not be possible to include these in the proposed field

assessments, it is recommended mechanisms to assess their production



potential are included in the strategy and thus are also visited to get an understanding of the way they

function.

No exit strategy is given within the project, such as the use of the information on stock status when

known. This will be addressed by providing guidance on the potential management direction for the

dams given a range of scenarios.

Approach to the assignment (methodology) The project will been broken down into a series of activities that will form the framework of the

report. These comprise a collation and review of available information, consultations, participatory

analysis, training of FD staff in stock assessment, development of guidelines for monitoring the fish

stocks in the major dams and community dams and draft of a framework for management of the dams.

The activities (report) will address, where possible, the following main elements:

The status and characteristics of the dam fisheries, including and possible temporal trends in the

fisheries exploitation patterns, gear characteristics, demographic characteristics of the fishing

communities and externalities impacting on fisheries

The location of fisheries with respect to sectoral, regional and national development plans and

evaluation of laws and regulations relevant to the fishery

Consultations with the FD, external agencies which have potential impact on the fisheries, key

communities and stakeholders to ensure their participation in development of the management

process. These include, but are not exclusive to: DWNP, FD, WUC, WorldFish; FAO; fishing

communities

Issues to be addressed (See section 7), including indentifying main potential and constraints

relevant to the development of the dams for fisheries purposes

Preparation of guidelines for monitoring and assessing the status of the fish stocks in the major

dams and community dams

Field testing the guidelines on dams and analysis of provisional data in conjunction with FD staff

to build capacity

Undertake training needs assessment and conducting a training programme to meet the needs of

FD personnel.

The general strategy for approaching the stock assessment of the major dams is outlined in Figure 1.

This strategy encompasses the various actions required to carry out stock assessment on the dams and

areas that will be targeted during the training elements of the project. It should be noted that a needs

assessment identified each of these areas as gaps in skills and the training has subsequently been

modified.

This strategy specifically does not just deal with the technical issues of stock assessment and its

effectiveness or limitations, but works within a regional policy framework and attempts to target

approaches that address poverty and livelihoods issues.



General policy decisions

Data collection objectives

Fishery indicators

Data variables

Data collection methods

Analytical

methods

Logistics and

resources

Validation of data

collection programme

Strategy for estimating

variables

Data management

Storage and processing

WHY

Planning and

implementation

System appraisal

and Feedback

WHAT

HOW

Figure 1. Framework for undertaking a stock assessment on major dams in Botswana

Set up and members of the Technical Team Landell Mills is executing the study through the services of one expert who has served as technical

consultant on many fisheries-related missions:

Key expert: Inland fisheries management expert – Prof Ian Cowx

The project implementation is backstopped from the Landell Mills Ltd headquarters in the UK, by

Charlotte Howell-Jones, the project manager.

The team will work in close collaboration with members of the FD as follows:

Balisani Marotsi Chief Wildlife Officer

Thethela Bokhutlo Wildlife Officer I (local coordinator)

Supi Khuting Wildlife Officer I

Montshwari Molefe Wildlife Officer II

Choto Choto Wildlife Officer II

Modiegi Bakahe Wildlife Officer II

Segolame Gagoitsiwe Game scout

Swaratlhe Setshwane Game Scout

Kesego Kutoro Chief Technical Assistant



Proposed work plan (including travel plan of experts) The project implementation has been broken down into four phases as follows:

Phase I: Preparation phase Conducting a literature review to understand better the structure and functioning of fisheries and

aquaculture in Botswana. Preparation of training materials for stock assessment, especially in relation

to target reservoir fisheries.

Phase II: Study mission I Briefing with the Regional Facilitation Unit for Southern Africa and the Fisheries Division

Document / data review and planning

Stakeholder / field visits and capacity development

• Training needs assessment of FD staff and local stakeholders

• Visit target reservoirs to understand functioning of fisheries, catch methods, species

caught, post-harvest activities, marketing chains, role of stocking, capacity and

responsibilities of local communities

• Preliminary training in stock assessment methodologies and identification of an optimal

strategy for catch assessment for target reservoirs, specifically engaging local stakeholders

Study development and reporting

• Draft inception report

• Elaboration of a preliminary study on the presence and abundance of the resources in the

target reservoirs in collaboration with the FA

• Preparation of preliminary guidelines for assessment of the status of the fish stocks in the

main reservoirs.

Phase III: Field testing Field testing of proposed methodology – 2-3 months

Phase IV: Study mission II: Training and validation Review of field trials – issues, limitations

Training in data handling and analysis, including provisional assessment of fishery status

based on the field trial

Revision of guidelines on stock assessment methodology and training of key persons

Preparation of materials for the workshop, including exit strategy for options to manage the

reservoirs.



The work plan for phase II - study mission I is as follows:

DATE LOCATION ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE STATUS 18/06/12 Gaborone Introduction and preliminary meeting Introductions Completed

19/06/12 Gaborone Meeting with fisheries staff and

briefing each other on fish stock

assessment (the needs and expectation

from FD staff) and manipulation of the

programme

Briefing discussion

about issues and

conflicts of the fishery

sector

Completed

20/06/12 Gaborone Reading of fish stock assessment

documentation and familiarization of

the activities that have been carried

out. Tour Gaborone dam and Bokaa

dam and interact with the stakeholders

in relation to fishing activity.

Familiarization of

status and issues

Consultation with

stakeholders and

understanding

functioning and

management of target

reservoirs

Completed

21/06/12 Gaborone Theory session on fish stock

assessment

Capacity building Completed

22/06/12 Gaborone Continuation of theory session on fish

stock assessment


23/06/12 Gaborone Preparation of inception report and

drafting sections on fisheries status and

guidelines

Inception report Completed

25/06/12 Letsibogo dam Depart to Letsibogo dam and set the

net (overnight setting). Tour Dikabeya

community dam on the way to

Letsibogo dam

Capacity building and

consultation with

stakeholders and

understanding

functioning and

management of the

reservoir

Completed

26/06/12 Letsibogo dam Retrieve set nets from Letsibogo dam

and perform a practical session on data

collection and laboratory diagnosis as

part of fish stock assessment. Meet

with the stakeholders in the afternoon

to get more information


27/06/12 Field/

Francistown

Tour Dikgathong dam in the morning

and meet with the possible

stakeholders. Depart to Francistown in

the afternoon and tour Shashe dam.

Meet with the stakeholders in Shashe

dam

Consultation with

stakeholders and

understanding

functioning and

management of the

reservoir

Completed

28/06/12 Field

/Francistown

Tour the Jacklas No.2 community dam

in the morning and meet with the

stakeholders. Tour Ntimbale dam in

the afternoon and meet with the

stakeholders.

Consultation with

stakeholders and

understanding

functioning and

management of the

reservoir

Completed

29/06/12 Field/

Francistown

. Depart to Gaborone Travel Completed



30/06/12 Gaborone Analysis of data from field visits

02/07/12 Gaborone Further drafting sections on fisheries

status and guidelines

Note holiday in

Botswana

03/07/12 Gaborone Further training and discussion on fish

stock assessment and findings from the

field with FD staff

Capacity building

04/07/12 Gaborone Further training and discussion on fish

stock assessment and findings from the

field with FD staff

Capacity building

05/07/12 Gaborone Preparation of interim report and

debriefing report

Capacity building

06/07/12 Gaborone FD Debriefing depart to UK and end

of phase I on fish stock assessment

Obtain feedback from

fisheries staff

07/07/12 Consultant departs Botswana

The proposed work plan for phase IV - study mission 2 is as follows. It is proposed the mission will be

scheduled in late September or early October around the 3-day holiday at the end of September.

DATE LOCATION ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE

Day 1 Gaborone Travel to Botswana

Day 2 Gaborone Meeting with fisheries staff and briefing on fish

stock assessment field work

Briefing discussion

about fishery assessment

Day 3 Gaborone Initial collation and preliminary analysis of data Capacity building and

data analysis

Day 4 Gaborone Training in data analysis using data collected Capacity building and

data analysis


data analysis


data analysis

Day 7 Gaborone Drafting sections on fisheries status of dams and

revision of guidelines

Drafting FTR

Day 8 Gaborone Training in preparation of fisheries management

plans

Capacity building

Day 9 Gaborone/

Maun

Preparation of material for stakeholder

workshop

Preparation for

workshop

Day 10 Gaborone/

Maun

Preparation of material for stakeholder

workshop

Preparation for

workshop

Day 11 Gaborone/

Maun

Stakeholder workshop Workshop

Day 12 Gaborone/

Maun

Review of outcomes of workshop Feedback and

preparation of FTR

Day 13 Gaborone Revision of dam assessment strategy and

management plans

Drafting of FTR

Day 14 Gaborone FD Debriefing depart to UK and end of phase IV

on fish stock assessment

Obtain feedback from

fisheries staff

Consultant departs Botswana

Results of initial document review, consultations and TNA etc Review of the technical document revealed that little data exist for the target reservoirs. Summary

information is listed in Tables 1 and 2 and data on fisheries production in



Figure 2. It is important to realise that the increase in fisheries production in 1999 was probably a

result of persons normally recruiting to military service being orientated towards exploiting the dams.

Table 1. Baseline information on large dams in Botswana (source Mmopelwa 2000)

Area

km2

Catchment

area km2

Depth

max

m

Depth

mean

(m)

Conductivity

uS

No of

species

Licensed

fishers

Average

CPUE

(kg/net)

Gaborone 19 4300 18 6 263 15 4 0.41

Shashe 17 3650 10 3.3 245 19 4 12.32

Letsibogo 18

30 10 297 6

Bokaa 6.6 3570 6.5 2.2 248 5 1 6.3

Nywane 0.55 238 12 4 281

0

Not

exploited



Table 2. Baseline information (source Mmopelwa 2000) and predicted potential yield from

major dams in Botswana using environmental correlation methods (MEI morphoedaphic index)

Area km2 Conductivity

uS

Depth

mean

(m)

MEI MEI

Estimated

production

(kg/ha/yr)

Gaborone 19 263 6 43.8 126.1

Shashe 17 245 3.3 74.2 159.6

Letsibogo 18 297 10 29.7 106.0

Bokaa 6.6 248 2.2 112.7 192.4

Nywane 0.55 281 4 70.3 155.8

The key issues from the data review is that available information is inadequate to make an assessment

of the status or potential yield in the short term because there are no longer term data series and it is

impossible to carry out catch assessment surveys because there are insufficient fisheries exploiting the

dams to adopt a classic catch assessment strategy.

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Fish

yie

ld (k

g)

Year

Gaborone

Shashe

Figure 2. Trends in fisheries production from major dams in Botswana (source

Mmopelwa 2000 and FD Annual report 2002/3)

Consequently there is a need to develop a strategy that uses fisheries independent methods

(experimental approaches) as well a strategy that links to the management objectives of the reservoirs.

In this context it was recognised that fisheries is only one user amongst several resource users of the

dams, as highlighted in Figure 3.



Fish

stocks

Commercial

licensed

fisheries

Subsistence

fisheries

dried fresh

Recreational

fisheries

Domestic

consumption

Domestic

consumption

Wildlife

Water supply

Irrigation

Water level

management

Illegal

fishing

Cattle

watering

Recreation

and Tourism

Urban

development

Birds + other

piscivores

Dying

in mud

Drinking

Drinking &

Trampling

Defecation &

nutrient loading

Litter, noise

etc

Yacht

club

Aquaculture

Figure 3. Interaction between resource users at major dams in Botswana

Outcomes of training needs review

Staff of the FD were interviewed regarding their training needs to target training most appropriately.

It was recognised that the staff have a diverse range of skills in fisheries and many do not come from a

fisheries background. The key aspects they considered critical to cover were related to the what, why

and how dimensions in Figure 1. They also required training in practical elements as defined below.

It should be noted the implementation programme is specifically designed to address these needs by

having interactive discussion about the theory of stock assessment practical elements in the field,

laboratory sessions programme and data handling sessions.

THEORY NEEDS

To understand what fish stock assessment is all about

The importance of fish stock assessment

Methods of fish stock assessment

Who is responsible for fish stock assessment (DWNP/fishers)

Tools used for data capture (record sheets)

Types of gears used (reservoirs and rivers)

How nets are set and where

Biological characteristics and how they are examined

Analysis and interpretation of results after sampling

Key species

Disease diagnosis

Storage of species for further examination (diseases or taxonomy)

Where and when to sample (frequency)

Type of information to include when surveying fishers.



PRACTICAL NEEDS

Net setting (how)

Biological analysis of sampled species

Data analysis and storage

Disease diagnosis (laboratory procedure).

Key issues to be addressed/solved (if any) As previously indicated, there are some 300 community dams in the country that potentially are

important sources of fish and some have been stocked with breams. These are not, as such, included in

the project but their assessment is vital if the FD is to maximise fisheries production and understand

the impact of their stocking strategy on these systems. Although it will not be possible to include these

in the proposed field assessments, it is recommended mechanisms to assess their production potential

are included in the strategy and thus will also be visited to get an understanding of the way they

function.

It was noted during the inception phase that there was a small typo on the timetable of activities

included in the initial proposal for the project, which indicated that Prof. Ian Cowx would only be in

country for 30% of the contracted 38 days. In fact Prof. Ian Cowx will be in country for 30.5 days of

the assignment, which is the equivalent of 80% of the contracted working days.

In addition, this inception report has incorporated further details on the level of training and mentoring

which will take place during the first mission and the data collection activities. Please refer to the

Proposed workplan section.

Recommendations Little is known about the fisheries and environmental characteristics of the major dams in Botswana or

the community dams. It is recommended the FD engage with WUC to promote integrated

management of the reservoirs for multiple use, rather than trying to develop the fisheries in isolation.

The major dams are unlikely to fulfil a major role in terms of fish production to supply urban areas in

Botswana and it is recommended that the outcomes of the assessment are examined relative to their

potential role in supporting tourism in terms of recreational fisheries. It is possible recreational fishing

may contribute considerably more in terms of economic development and sustainable livelihoods. This

will be encompassed in the outputs of the project.

There is a distinct need to provide support in the utilization of the stock assessment data

collected from the dams towards preparation of management plans – it is proposed this is

included in the deliverables of the project in terms of training and preliminary preparation for

several dams.

References

Fisheries Section (2002/2003) Annual Report. Ministry of Agriculture, Mimeo.

Mmopelwa T.G. (2000) Fisheries potential in WUC dams. Consultative workshop on

secondary ue of dams, and eco-tourism. Fisheries Section, Ministry of Agriculture, Mimeo.



Appendices

Appendix 1. Trends in fish production data from major dams (source Mmopelwa 2000

and FD Annual report 2002/3)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Gaborone Breams 439 1080 340 3939

38

Barbels 846 1287 334 6121

73

Silver catfish 228 190 68 0

Labeo 121 30 31 10

Carp 96 274 75 0

2

Total 1730 2861 848 10070

113

Shashe Breams 1645 74 1569 1440

1454

Barbels 756 318 2213 2779

883

Silver catfish 652 200 439 215

649

Labeo 1318 1836 4487 4925

5033

Total 4371 2428 8708 9359

8019

Bokaa Breams

3741

Barbels

5572

Total

9313

Letsibogo Breams

5744

Barbels

1073

Total

6817



Annex 2: Proposed outlines for the technical document to be devised within assignment

PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION

2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON FISHERIES AND

MAJOR DAMS IN BOTSWANA

3 USES AND IMPACTS OF THE DAMS

4 STATUS OF THE FISHERY AND ITS ECOSYSTEM

4.1 Production trends

4.2 Fishing effort

4.4 Indicators of exploitation

4.5 Aquaculture

4.6 Post-harvest Sector

4.7 Fish marketing and distribution

4.8 Socio-economic aspects of the fisheries

5 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND POLICY OBJECTIVES

IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES

6 ISSUES AFFECTING FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT

7 OPTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DAM FISHERES

8 DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING COMPONENT

8.1 Theoretical aspects

8.2 Practical aspects

8.3 Guidelines for monitoring major dams

NOTE manuals for above training components will form

appendices to this report. The monitoring guidelines will form a

series of operating procedures for each component, e.g. catch

assessment methods, gill netting.

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: People consulted

Appendix 2: Fisheries stock assessment training manual

Appendix 3: Guidelines for monitoring major dams in Botswana

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