The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture has announced a new legal framework aimed at protecting the country’s fish resources and regulating fishing activities nationwide. The move comes after years of unregulated fishing, which experts say has led to illegal practices, overfishing, and a decline in rare fish species.
Speaking in Addis Ababa during the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Fisheries Monitoring and Control Centre meeting and IGAD Fisheries Forum held on Tuesday, August 6, Dr. Fasil Dawit, Head of the Fisheries Development Desk at the Ministry, said the new rules will make fishing more sustainable.
Dr. Fasil explained that while fishing in Ethiopia has been open to anyone for years, this has caused a surge in illegal fishing, the use of harmful equipment, and uncontrolled exploitation of breeding grounds. “Illegal fishing and illegal fishing gear are a major threat to fisheries development,” he said. “The legal framework has been prepared to address this problem and ensure that our fish resources are used responsibly.”
Under the new rules, anyone wishing to fish will now be required to obtain a legal license. Even fishing equipment must be registered and approved by the authorities. The framework also prohibits fishing during breeding seasons and in areas with high fish population density, in order to allow species to regenerate.
The regulations will also guide how much fishing can be done in areas where species are already depleted. According to Dr. Fasil, the framework has been reviewed by the Attorney General’s office and discussed widely with stakeholders, with only ministerial approval left before it becomes law.
Lake Tana in focus
One of Ethiopia’s most important fishing zones, Lake Tana, has been heavily affected by illegal practices. Ato Alayu Gale, Director of the Center of Excellence for Green Economy at Bahir Dar University, warned that the lake’s biodiversity is under serious threat. He revealed that the lake has 28 species of edible and inedible fish, but many are struggling to breed because the main breeding areas are now covered with invasive seaweed.
He added that rare species are disappearing due to the lack of control and monitoring systems. “If we put a strong legal framework in place and improve monitoring, fish production will be far better than what we are currently achieving,” Alayu said.
Lake Tana alone produces up to 50,000 tons of fish annually. However, some species that were previously preserved for breeding and research are now being caught and sold. Alayu noted that fish from Lake Tana are not only consumed locally but also sent to Addis Ababa and other African countries, while dried fish pellets are exported to Sudan and Congo.
Big gap in production
Despite Ethiopia’s large freshwater resources, fish production is far below potential. The country can produce up to 500,000 tons annually, but current output is only around 30 percent of that. Dr. Fasil said a new 10-year fisheries master plan shows the country could produce more than 530,000 tons per year if resources are properly managed.
There are over 200 fish species in Ethiopia, with 45 species found nowhere else in the world. Annual production has increased to about 255,000 tons — three times more than in previous years — thanks to expansion in fish farming and resource development.
On the commercial front, the Renaissance Dam has become an important source of fish, producing over 14,000 kilograms per day. Dr. Fasil noted that these species are in high demand and bring in good income for fishers.
The Ministry hopes that with the new legal framework, Ethiopia can balance economic benefits from fisheries with the need to protect biodiversity. Once the framework is approved, strict enforcement is expected to follow, with penalties for illegal fishing and unlicensed equipment use.
For communities that depend on fishing for income, the government says the new rules will also create a fairer system where resources are preserved for future generations.
