Arba Minch University and other stakeholders associated with Chamo Lake having seriously deliberated issues threatening lake’s aquatic life agreed to harness fishery, boost breeding, check illegal fishing; improve annual yield and livelihood prospect. The pact in this regard will be signed later, Dr Fassil Eshetu informed. Click here to see the pictures.

All stakeholders emphatically asked for the inclusion of City Administration, woredas & kebeles in Memorandum of Understanding; as former is alleged to be polluting lake by dumping city waste and latter are said to be party to on-going indiscriminate agricultural activities around Chamo. The date for inking MoU will be decided later, Dr Fassil said.

AMU’s researcher, Dr Fassil Eshetu, whose in-depth investigation on Chamo Lake’s aquatic bio-diversity and eco-system succinctly revealed about impending threats following over-fishing, shrinking and water chemistry changes will continuously probe to contribute positive out-puts to Nech Sar National Park Authority and other stakeholders to work on agreed issues.

Nech Sar National Park Authority Manager, Mr Abreham Mariye, said, ‘‘Chamo Lake has had huge potential and should have been producing 45,000 tons of fish annually, but it’s whittled down to 15,000 Tons. However, various factors led to such a dismal scenario; therefore, to restore its full potential, all stakeholders agreed to strive best by signing this agreement.

A German development agency - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn is sponsoring technical support to this project. AMU has already granted over ETB 479000 for research work and other stakeholders will continue to contribute for the success of the project, Dr Fassil summed up.

Gamo Gofa Zone Administrative Bureau, Gamo Gofa Zone Stock and Fishery Department, Gamo Gofa Zone Environment Protection Bureau, Arba Minch Fishery Association, Arba Minch Zuria Woreda Security Bureau, Arba Minch Zuria Woreda Justice Department and Arba Minch Zuria Woreda Police Office are other important stakeholders, who will be inking the agreement.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)