the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

Delta, while previously inhabitants were only able to fish in areas accessible by
mekoros (Makhajwe et aI, 1995; Mendelsohn and el Obeid, 2004).
Another component to the commercialisation of the Delta's fish stocks is the sale of
salted or frozen fish products. The Botswana Government vigorously promoted
these ventures through the provision of financial assistance. Most funds went
towards the purchase of modern fishing equipment (gill nets and motor boats) and
training in methods of fishing, storage and marketing. However, these efforts have
largely failed and the commercial fishing sector has generally collapsed, mainly
because market demands for fish are just too small. Only about 41 people remained
as commercial fishermen in 2002, mainly harvesting bream species (Mendelsohn
and el Obeid, 2004).
According to the OPWT (1998), the promotion of the commercialisation of the
Delta's fish stocks by the government is leading to the depletion of fish stocks in
local fishing areas in the Panhandle and Upper Delta. The use of nets to catch fish
by local populations is causing declines not only in fish numbers, but also damaging
many other aquatic species. Ironically, much of the catch from the nets goes to
waste as people are catching too many fish to consume, and refrigeration problems
prevent the fish from being stored (OPWT, 1998).
The perishable nature of fish makes fishing a difficult industry, with problems
associated with the preservation and marketing of the fish. The Department of
Animal Health and Production in Botswana constructed cooling facilities at Shakawe
in the Panhandle area and refrigerated trucks to transport fish to outer markets.
However, in spite of this, the following problems persist: inadequate refrigeration
facilities; limited transport from the Delta to outer markets in Botswana; the use of
nets which are too fine and catch baby fish which are later just thrown away; and the
shrinking of the Delta which is resulting in a decrease in fish spawning areas
(Makhajwe et aI, 1995).
As noted in Chapter Five, of the numerous habitats, the floodplains and seasonal
swamps are of greatest value as areas in which most fish breed. Flooding begins
when the rising river and channel waters push out over flat surrounding ground, and
the largest floodplains form in years when river levels are highest. The most
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