A Comparison of Fishing Strategies in the Bangweulu Swamps

Abstract

The fishing strategies in the Bangweulu Swamps, Northern Zambia, are described and analyzed based on the data obtained from a three month field study in 1983. At the Muilika fishing camp, situated in the center of the Swamps, six fishing methods were employed by a total of 19 fishing units consisting of 27 fishermen. A comparison was made of the fishing effort allocated to the six fishing methods by these 19 units. In spite of a difference found in the allocation pattern of fishing effort, no significant difference in fishing efficiency was found among the fishing units. For ukusakila (fish-driving method), comparisons of efficiencies were made between the two variations of ukusakila method, among various sizes of co-fishing group, and among fishing units, none of which showed a significant difference. It is suggested that overall fishing efficiencies are leveled out in the long run by the fishermen who disperse their effort to different strategies and cooperate in using a small fishing ground so as not to reduce efficiencies. In group fishing, a social factor based on kinship ties is also important, although it may not be directly relevant to the optimization of fishing efficiency.