| dc.description.abstract | Fisheries support livelihoods but are threatened by climate variability and change. This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the extent to which fishing activities and fishermen livelihoods around Pakech-Jukaal fishing zone along river Nile Pakwach District in Uganda were affected by the effect of change in water. Fishers were aware of changes in local water levels which they termed as unpredictable seasons and which caused flooding. Fishing was the main livelihood activity in the area. The fishery of River Nile includes the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell), the lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus Heckel) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). African catfish was the dominant fish species in addition to changes in fish catches and sizes, and income from fish. The study aimed to address this knowledge gap, specifically this study identified the effects of rise in water levels on the fishing activities of fishers and their livelihood at Pakech-Jukaal fish landing site, Pakwach District and analysed the effectiveness of different adaption measures used by the fishers during the adverse effects of rise in water level. This study was based on across sectional research design where qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data. Further, the study used various tools of data collection for example structured questionnaires, direct observation, key informant interviews and photography to collect data. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and relative proportions were determined to summarize the data from the semi structured questionnaire on fishers’ perceptions of effects of changing water level on fishing activities and analysed using descriptive statistics, factor and content analysis. Results were displayed in bar graphs, pie charts and tables. For objective one to determine the landing sites status, how far away have they been moved by the effects of changing water level along the Pakech-Jukaal fishing zone, instance rise in water level caused damages to fishers homestead, landing site infrastructures (offices, latrines, stores, fish slabs and pit latrines), that is to say around 40 boats, 20 fish slabs, 4 offices and two permanent pit latrines were submerged and destroyed, loss of lives, disease outbreaks and reduced catch. Adaptation and mitigation measures were constrained by limited credit, awareness, and land tenure. The required interventions included improving access to credit, irrigation facilities and appropriate planting materials, and raising awareness. | en_US |
