Abstract:
Fishes are the most diverse of all the vertebrate taxa. They constitute more than 27, 977 of the
54, 711 extant vertebrate species. In Sub-Saharan Africa, fish is a crucial food for over 400
million people. Ethiopia is rich in inland water bodies with diversified fish species, consisting of
more than 200 species, composed of Nilo-Sudanic, East African, and endemic forms. The entire
area of lakes and reservoirs in the country is about 7000 - 8000 km2 and the important rivers
stretch over 7000 km. Fishing in the country is artisanal, especially in the Baro-Akobo basin and
its floodplains. Indigenous knowledge encouraged regeneration and sustainable utilization of
fish. The knowledge systems have been conserved and passed on from generation to generation
through oral talk. Thus, this study aimed to assess fish composition and indigenous knowledge
on fishing activities in Gilo River, Anywaa Zone, Jor Woreda, Gambella Regional State. A
cross-sectional survey was used as a research design. Fish specimens were collected exhaustively
from traditional diverse fishermen catch that used gears of diverse types. The study population
for the assessment of indigenous knowledge included inhabitants who mainly depend on fishing
in the study area. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the study participants.
Questionnaires, focus group discussions, and observation were used to collect the required data
for the indigenous knowledge. A total of 768 fish specimens, belonging to 14 species in 12
genera, 12 families, and 7 orders were identified from Gilo River at the study area during the
present study and more than 17 traditional fishing gears and techniques were recorded during the
study. As part of the indigenous knowledge related to fishing, two poison fishing plants and two
ways of preserving fish after harvesting fish, such as drying in the sun (Peetø) and fish smoking
on fire (Nginynyø), were identified. Poor sharing, management, and conservation of indigenous
knowledge on fisheries might be due to the highest impact of modernization. So, government,
non-government and local people should take care of awareness creation on indigenous
knowledge of fishing, through conducting lots training program about the importance of
indigenous knowledge of fishing activities with the local fishermen to keep their knowledge in
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