APPENDIX : FISHING GROUPS: CASE STUDIES
1. ZVIDOZVEVANHU FISHING CO-OPERATIVE (UMP District).
1.1. Organisation
Zvidozvevanhu fishing group has operated in Mudzi district since 1987. This group has a total membership of nine and all members are actively co-operating. Some members of this group were friends or neighbours before inception of the group while others were drafted into the group through recommendations by the Ministry of Political Affairs at Kotwa. Candidates with some poaching experience were preferred.
The majority of the members (seven) are male. Females are not proportionally represented because they are not socially accepted as hunters. The rural community and women in particular is uneasy about participation of women in activities performed away from home. The community feels that the role of the women, particularly married ones, is in the home. Hunting as in fishing is only associated with men. It is considered immoral for women in general to stay with a group of men.
During the formation of the group, not all members were sure of the viability of such an activity and were therefore reluctant to rally behind the group. Approval of a permit was another problem that had to be overcome. This took about a year.
New members are still allowed to join, provided they are male. New members are expected to contribute an amount equal to what other members contributed since the operations began, i.e in terms of asset holding and savings. Such a contribution is usually met by deducting part of the allowance due to the new member. Five members joined the group after its formation and more members are expected to join.
Since the group was formed in 1987, eight members have dropped out. Many dropped out when the cooperative had just begun. During the first few months of operation, boats and nets were unobtainable due to a lack of cash. Members were therefore expected to swim in order to lay nets. This led to some of the members leaving the cooperative. In addition, allowances were very low when the work started which meant that some members felt that it was not worth their effort. It is thought that ex-members are probably still fishing as poachers. Currently, no members are expected to leave.
1.2 Administration and Management
The chairman is in overall command of all activities, and there is also a treasurer. The treasurer and the chairman are responsible for keeping accounts. During meetings, members identify their operational needs and agree to allocate cash and purchase certain requirements. The group holds meetings every Friday to plan operations and discuss problems.
The group also has four operational posts, namely production manager, sales manager, production secretary and general manager. The chairman nominates the individuals who should take these posts. The task of the production manager is to plan activities. The sales manager is responsible for supervising the selling activity while the production secretary keeps records of production, sales and expenditures. The general manager takes care of logistics.
1.3 Finance
The registration fee is Z$30 and this is paid once before one is accepted as a member. The money is kept in a bank account and is utilised for purchases of stationery and meeting travel expenses. Members do not make any other contribution.
Group members also receive about 2 kg of fish once every month when they visit their families. Members are also entitled to a monthly allowance of $100, although this depends on monthly sales and input requirements. At the end of each year, members also receive an average of $300 as a bonus.
1.4. Access to Equipment
The group owns one fibreglass boat and 16 nets. The boat was purchased from Marine Centre, Harare through a Z$10 000 credit facility provided by the Zimbabwe Project, Mutoko. Nets were sourced from Fereday and Sons, Harare. However, the majority of the nets are home made but members were reluctant to provide information on these due to concern about inspection of mesh sizes. The group has also recently acquired a fuel powered refrigerator. The Ministry of Political Affairs, Mudzi, were influential in securing a loan for this group.
1.5. Fishing activities
The group found application for a permit very demanding. Firstly, the process takes a long time and secondly, the cost to the group of making follow ups visits to the District Council is very high because several trips (sometimes involving more than one person) have to be made.
The groups' permit allows them to fish with nets in Nyamuwanga, Shinga and Chitisa dams. They also fish in small dams to allow breeding to take place in the main dams. The dams are 30km or more apart making transport essential. The dams the group are allowed to fish are those that have been surveyed and recommended for commercial fishing by Agritex Fisheries Unit. The group felt that they wanted to fish in other dams so as to increase their catch. The group does not fish in rivers.
At present, District Development Fund (DDF) trucks are used by the group to get to each dam. The DDF trucks combine their activities with those of the group. Alternatively, transport is hired from friends.
Three camping teams from the group operate separately at Shinga, Nyamuwanga and Chitisa dams. Each team consists of three members with two teams having a woman attached to each team. The only boat owned by the group is shared among the teams. Moving the boat between dams causes problems resulting in some teams having to swim to set nets.
The best fishing takes place between July and December. Between January and June, fishing operations continue but the catch is quite low. The group attributes this to too much water and food in the dam between January and February from the rains which they consider makes fish move in a random pattern. They also think that during winter fish go to the deeper and central part of the dam where it is warmer. This makes it difficult to catch fish with the short nets members use, because they cannot set nets in these places.
Nets are set at 1500 hours and fish collected at 1800, 0100 and 0600 hours before the net is removed.
Bream and catfish are the most commonly caught fish in the dam. The group finds that customers prefer bream to catfish. The current price of bream is $5.00 per kg and the current price of catfish is $3.75 per kg. Prices are not change seasonally but the group reviews them every year.
The group harvests less than what they expected before they started. They attribute this to poaching although this could also be that their expectations were too high. The amount of catch has not changed since they first started although changes obviously occur seasonally. The group catch an average of 50 kg per day during the peak period and as low as 7 kg per day during the slack period.
1.6. Disposal of fish
During each fishing day, about 2 kg/day is kept for consumption and the rest is sold. The main selling points are at growth centres (mainly civil servants) and an army camp. However, the group prefers selling to supermarket operators even as far as Mutoko (60 km away). This is because at supermarkets, all fish is weighed and purchased immediately. Selling fish is not a problem because there is excess demand. However, the group does find that local residents sometimes do not have cash to buy fish and therefore buy on credit. As a result the group expressed an interest in acquiring a refrigerator to store so as to sell later at supermarkets.
Fish is mostly sold fresh. Customers prefer fresh to dried fish because there are many ways of preparing the former than the latter. The sales manager supervises the activities of women (non-members) who deliver fish to customers. The group prefers women selling agents because they are considered to be better at customer relations. The sales manager is required to supervise pricing and weighing in order to control cash and stock.
1.7. Advantages
Members consider that the main advantages of joining the cooperative are that it provides opportunities for them to their improve knowledge through attending courses, getting cash and getting known in the community. For the group as a whole, the advantage lies in their ability to support their families adequately by getting assistance from other members. The main disadvantage is the frustration caused as a result of too many regulations and requirements from National Parks, Agritex, Political Affairs, Zanu (PF) and the community.
The group feels that their fishing skills have improved because they now know movements of fish during the times of the day and where to catch a particular type of fish. They feel that their management skills have also improved through attending courses on general management and bookkeeping. However, in most cases these courses are attended by the chairman only.
1.8. Problems
The group felt that their major problem was transport to get to and from the dams. Although they rely on a free service from DDF they have to plan their trips according to when and where DDF trucks are going. Presently, the group is trying to save money so that they can get some assistance to buy a small truck.
Another problem they face is loss of fish to poachers and the danger of crocodiles. Poachers operate at night and steal nets belonging to the group whenever they can. The group felt that they should be given the responsibility of keeping poachers at bay by using guns and handcuffs.
A crocodile has been identified in Nyamuwanga dam but National Parks are reluctant to come and remove it because there has not been any unwanted behaviour shown by this crocodile.
1.9. Future outlook
In the future the group hopes to diversify into a clothing industry mainly for the two women members. Since fishing is seasonal, investing in other income generating projects improves cash flow. Currently they are also trying to build offices at the district centre. These buildings will house administrative offices, shop to sell fish and the clothing factory.
2 ZVATAIDA FISHING BRIGADE (UMP District).
2.1. Organisation
Zvataida fishing group was formed in 1987 and is composed of male youths. Currently the group consists of eight active members and two non-active members. All members were friends and local residents of Marembera, UMP.
During its formation, the fishing brigade had cash problems. They could not purchase or acquire the right type and amount of equipment they required. There was also a lack of cohesion within the group because some members took time to decide on the organisation of finance. This resulted in the delay in applying for a permit.
This group does not allow new membership because they feel current membership levels are adequate. If they were to allow new members, they would expect the new member to contribute towards shares of the group. If they do not have full amounts required, they can work whilst deductions are made until the share is paid up.
Since the group started, it has lost three members due to the low allowances which were paid out initially. They felt it was inadequate to support their families. However, three new members replaced them.
2.2. Administration and Management
The organisational structure is headed by the Chairman, supported by a vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary. Every member has duties allocated to him. Basically, the group has the production manager, production secretary, sales manager and sales secretary. The treasurer keeps the books of accounts, but expenditure is reached by consensus based on need/priority. Only the chairman has attended a leadership course.
2.3. Finance
Initially, each member they contributed $50 to purchase nets and a boat was donated by Christian Care. The membership fee is $30 which is paid once when joining the group. This money is kept in a bank account and is used to purchase variable inputs like twine and for travel and subsistence. However, when funds start dwindling, then members are requested to contribute some money. The amount contributed depends on need.
2.4. Access to Equipment
The group owns 4 nets, 10 life jackets, a locally-made boat and a fibreglass boat. The fibreglass boat and the life jackets were a donation from Christian Care.
2.5. Fishing Activities
This group is allowed to fish in all the 48 dams in UMP district. However, this does not
mean that they are able to fish in all the dams due to distances involved. The furthest dam
is 80km. As a result there is a transport problem because the group does not own a truck.
They use the bus to carry their gear from the main road to the nearest point and then hire
scotchcarts to get to the dam.
The group operates between August and April as there are low catches between May - July
due to the cold weather.
Catches comprises of bream, catfish and mhumbu in descending order of importance. They do not have a scale so they sell fish by size. The group is catching less fish than they initially expected, although they have improved somewhat their fishing techniques. They think low catches are due to an inadequate number of nets. Probably they had overly high hopes.
Nets are set between 1600–1800 hours and removed in the morning around 1900 hours. Catches vary between 150–400 fish per day and apart from some set aside for consumption, all is sold.
2.7. Fish Disposal
All fish are sold fresh because there is a high demand for fresh fish. Catfish is the only fish which they have problems in disposing whilst fresh due to the low demand. As result, some of it is dried. Customers are usually local civil servants and people at business centres. At the end of the year each member receives $150.
2.8. Advantages
The members thought that their fishing activities offered them some employment opportunities and as well as some supplementary incomes. They are both agriculturalists during the rainy season and fishermen during off-season.
Members felt that they had gained skills in netting techniques and flow patterns of fish. In addition, three members had attended workshops on financial control and management.
2.9. Problems
The major problems identified were transport, nets and lack of a refrigerator. Transport would improve inter-dam travel and also marketing of fish. A refrigerator would reduce losses and would make it possible to sell to distant markets which offer better prices. The group has approached Christian Care for assistance in acquiring a truck. They think that a truck will increase their revenue because they can sell to better paying markets at Murehwa, about 60 km away.
2.10 Future Outlook
The group wishes to diversify into other activities like a grinding mill because fishing is a seasonal activity resulting in low or no cash in other periods.
3. KUEDZA FISHING CO-OPERATIVE (UMP District)
3.1. Organisation
This group was formed in 1988 by a group of male neighbours. There are currently eight active members. Women are excluded due to problems of social compatibility because it is considered social taboo for a woman (especially a married woman) to work in an all male environment.
This co-op feels the group is large enough and they will not accept new members although more people wish to join. When it first started two members left the group because the permit took a long time before being issued.
The two major problems which the group faced at inception was nets and boats. This was over come by using locally made boats owned by one of the members and contributing some money to purchase nets.
3.2. Administration and Management
A Executive made up of the Chairman, secretary, treasure and their deputies runs the co-op, but the decisions of the group are reached by consensus at meetings which are conducted every Friday. This co-op is unique in that there is an element of individualism. An individual is given nets with which he can fish. Apart from the levy they have to pay, anything earned from the sale of fish belongs to the individual. This aspect makes this co-operative unique and has resulted in more cohesion than other groups in that members get the benefits immediately.
3.3. Finance
Each member pays $50/year as joining fee. This money is banked by the treasurer. In addition, each member which fishes in a dam pays a levy which ranges between $12 –$25 to the group, depending on catches. Funds from this levy are used for buying nets and the group intends to invest in other income generating activities.
3.4. Access to Equipment
The group owns four locally made boats and fifteen nets. They think fibreglass boats are expensive. They repair their own damaged nets and only buy new ones or make some themselves if the nets are damaged extensively.
3.5. Fishing Activities
The group has a permit to fish from 40 dams, but only manages to fish 30 of these (the larger ones). Transport to and from the dam is a problem, but the group does enjoy official support from the DA's office. Government trucks in the district carry the group members and its equipment. Therefore the group can combine its activities with those undertaken by DDF or Ministry of Transport, and Council. Where dams are inaccessible by truck, the group hires a scotchcart. The group did not have problem in getting a permit because they previously had a permit to fish from the Mazoe river. However, the waiting time for the permit was long. The group would also like to fish in rivers. In fact, they would wish that the ban on fishing by nets from rivers could be lifted.
The group stops fishing between May and July when fish catches are low due to the cold weather. November and December are other months they stop fishing because they are also farmers and are engaged in agriculture. Fishing is therefore a complementary activity to farming.
The four commonly caught species are bream, catfish, and magarawada in descending order of importance. The group catches an average of 15–25 kg per week. The group felt it was not catching as much as anticipated because bream can evade nets. However, the group were wary about giving the correct catch figures. They feared the Council could increase fees if it deemed that fishing was profitable. Most members were fisherman before they joined the group. Some had individual permits to fish. whilst other could have been “poachers”.
3.6. Disposal of Fish
All fish is sold fresh, except catfish which is sometimes dried due to low demand. For bream, the selling price ranges between $3,50 – $4,00 per kg. Catfish is normally sold for less around $2,50/fish. Magarawada are in demand so can fetch $5 per kg. The main selling points are the nearest growth point at Mutawatawa (30 km) and at the dam site. However, they prefer to sell to Murehwa Centre, where they can realise higher prices, but they do not have their own transport.
3.7. Advantages
The members felt that cooperation is an advantage because it leads to sharing and the support of other members. In addition the group felt that fishing in a group ensures that help in school fees, household expenditures (groceries) and in the event the co-op folds, their shares act as a form of security. If a member needs urgent cash, the co-operative can advance a loan to that member.
The group executive has attended courses run by a non-governmental organisation, Silveira House. These courses included bookkeeping, record keeping, stock control and leadership. In addition every member attends courses run by at Murehwa. These courses are run three times a year and concentrate on fishing in general and leadership training.
3.8. Problems faced and potential solution
The major problems that the co-op faces are transport, camping gear and poachers. For transport, the co-operative has approached the Ministry of Co-operative for assistance. They hope to purchase camping gear after they have purchased a truck.
They thought poachers were a problem, but they suggested giving co-operatives the powers to make arrests and handover the suspects to the police.
3.9. Future Activities
The group would like to diversify into milling and start a supermarket. They think that expanding the scope of their operations ensures financial security in terms of reliability and consistency of cash inflows.
4. MWARAZI FISHING CO-OPERATIVE (RUSAPE)
4.1. Organisation
This group was formed in 1987 with 15 members. It comprises people from the ZANU (PF) youth wing, who were mobilised by the Ministry of Political Affairs. It is an all male group.
On formation, the group faced two major problems. The first was group cohesion because all members were new to each other and the only thing they had in common was that they were all members of the youth brigade. The second problem was getting a fishing permit, which took a long time.
The group feels the membership is enough and does not accept new members. If the need should arise, they recruit among youths aged between 18 and 26 years. The new members are expected to pay $40 plus other contributions which have been made by existing members. Four members left the group due to misuse of funds.
4.2. Administration and Management
The executive which is made up of the chairman, treasurer and secretary proposes plans which are then debated by members during general meetings. A production manager is responsible for delegating duties to other members. Teams of three people are formed with two people per group working.
4.3. Finance
After selling fish, each member receives an average of $87 per month, although this depends on net revenue. This figure appears inadequate to support a family. However, the average revenue seems to have been underplayed because the Ministry of Political Affairs seemed to want to be involved in management of the funds.
4.4. Equipment
The group owns three fibreglass boats and six pairs of nets which were donated by the EEC through the Ministry of Political Affairs (MPA). The total amount donated had a value of Z$27 000.
4.5. Fishing Activities
This group fishes from Mwarazi dam only. The group does not fish in June due to low catches as a result of cold weather. Bream, gwengwe, bass and catfish are the most frequently caught types of fish. The average catch of the group is 15 kg/day. They lay their nets around 5.00 p.m and remove the nets the following morning.
4.6. Disposal of fish
The group sells fish to the local people at the nearest business centre (5 km). Mostly, customers come to buy the fish at the dam site. Bream fetches a price of Z$5 per kg, gwengwe Z$5.50 per kg, bass Z$3,50 and catfish Z$3,75. All the fish is sold fresh because of demand. They can however, sell as far as Rusape (50 km), but transport is a problem.
4.7. Advantages
Members felt that the co-operative was good because they had employment and could earn a reliable income to support themselves and their families.
They have also improved their skills in setting nets. In addition, seven members attended a management skills course.
4.8. Problems
The major problems faced are poachers, and crocodiles. Poachers steal nets and there are four crocodiles in the dam which damage nets.
4.9. Future Outlook
The group is resident at the dam site. The place used to be a resort which offered water sports and a club. The members wish to rehabilitate the place and make the dam a resort site, thus fully utilising the site.
5. GANDAUTA FISHING CO-OPERATIVE (GUTU)
5.1. Organisation
The group was formed in 1991 and has 21 members, of which eighteen are active members. The group is all male.
The group faced financial problems when it first started - in relation to the purchase of boats and nets. In addition group cohesion was problematic.
Eight members left the group at the beginning due to the delay in getting the permit or because jobs were found elsewhere.
5.2. Administration and Management
Though on paper, the group has an executive made up of the chairman, secretary and treasurer, the administration is not well organised. There are no well defined function and responsibilities for each member. At best the group can be described as in its early infancy. The dam is fished on a shift basis with three members per shift. The group relies on members to declare the correct weight caught. The group does not have a bank account -the money is kept by the treasurer at his residence.
5.3. Finance
Each member paid $33 as joining fee and $150 each in share capital. The joining fee was used to purchase nets, whilst the shares are reserved for buying equipment. The members have not yet received any allowances from the group.
5.4. Equipment
The group owns two fibreglass boats, five nets and three life jackets. However, the boats are owned by one of the members who used to have an individual permit to fish. This member is requesting a user fee which is high than it renders all members his workers. The member can no longer use his boats and fish alone because of Agritex policy promoting utilisation of small water bodies through fishing groups rather than individuals by issuing permits only to groups.
5.5. Fishing Activities
The group is allowed to fish from two dams - Siya and Bangala. This group operates all year round. The group catches bream, catfish, bass and rere. The group sells around 15kg of fish per day. The group fishes both during the day and set nights in the evening.
5.6. Disposal of fish
Most of their fish at the dam site to the local population. All fish is sold fresh because customers prefer fresh fish to other types.
5.7. Advantages
The members felt that being members of the group was good in that they can earn some cash income. In addition, they thought they gained wide knowledge due to the exposure they get by being members.
5.8. Problems
Their major problems are group cohesion and availability of fishing equipment. The group seems to be divided especially given concerning the use of one members' boats. It also appears that the group has no clear guidelines of operation, and it is felt that catches are underdeclared by members. This problem is compounded by the fact that the group does not have a bank account and any revenue is kept at the residence by the treasurer.
5.9. Future Outlook
The group intends to diversify into other income generating projects like poultry and pig farming.
6. NHORO FISHING GROUP (Chesa)
6.1. Organisation
The group was formed in 1987 by a group of 22 people who were neighbours. The project was intended for youths, but they did not accept it. As a result, the neighbours decided that for each family which was interested in the project, at least two people per family will be accepted. The group has only one female member out of 12 active members and 10 non-active.
The problem which the group faced at inception was working capital to purchase fishing gear and other ancillary equipment. Membership fees are $50.00 on joining and other monies are levied for travel and subsistence.
New members of all ages are allowed to join. But they have to contribute in terms of joining fee and share contributions. Seven members have so far left the group due to lack of interest and employment opportunities elsewhere.
6.2. Administration and Management
The group has an executive which is headed by the Chairman. The group holds meetings one per week to plan activities for the following weeks and allocation of tasks. The Secretary keeps the books of accounts, during the meetings items which need money are identified and prioritised.
6.3. Finance
Membership fees are $50.00 and where there is a need to do some travelling, each member contributes some money towards that.
6.4. Capital Assets
The group owns one fibreglass boat and six nets. Boats are expensive and given the low levels of joining fees, the group managed to buy nets first and then from proceeds of fish sales, asked someone in Harare to built a boat for them. Damaged nets are repaired by members of the group.
6.5. Fishing Activities
The group fishes from one dam only - Nhoro dam. Getting a permit was considered tedious. First, people have to be organised and present a coherent plan of action. To organise for membership locally can be difficult. Second, the process of getting a permit after submission is very long because papers have to go through Agritex, Council and National Parks and back through the same slow process. Some members may resign in the process due to the delay. Since they fish from one dam, the group only uses a scotchcart to transport their gear.
The group ceases netting during the agricultural season (November to May). they used to lay their nets during the evenings and remove them the following morning. However, due to persistent theft of both nets, the group lays in the morning and removes the nets in the evening.
Two major species are caught - breams and catfish. Customers prefer breams to catfish and this is reflected by the price differential (Breams sell for Z$5 per kg whilst catfish can sell Z$3 per kg. The group is not catching as expected due to problem of low attendance and the fact that is mostly older members who come.
6.6. Disposal of fish
The group catches on average between $20 and $40 per day. Fish is sold to the locals who come to the dam site to purchase fish. The group does not have a license to sell at the business centres. As a result they prefer selling at the dam site.
Fish is sold fresh due to customer preference and demand which is never saturated. Customers also prefer fresh because they are worried about the processing and drying methods because they fear the product may cause food poisoning. The secretary and a selected member are responsible for supervising the selling of fish which is done by ladies.
6.7. Advantages
Main advantages of being a member is that it offers training opportunities in accounts and leadership. The members perceive that there are no disadvantages in being members of a group. This is a reflection of the fear that if they acknowledged disadvantages they may not receive the anticipated support from Agritex.
Two skills have improved - bookkeeping and laying of nets. Some members have attended bookkeeping courses organised by National Association of Savings Clubs and Unions of Zimbabwe (NASCUZ). In addition access to a boat has improved technique of laying nets.
6.8. Problems
The three problems identified are poachers, storage for fish and equipment and insufficient dams. The groups wishes to have a small dam-site house for use as a base, excess fish could be stored there, the major items would be fishing gear.
6.9. Future Outlook
The group intends to get into other activities like distribution of agricultural inputs. This group is composed of farmers and their sons. As a result, this may influence their decision to diversify into agricultural input distribution. Probably they see fishing as quick way of generating income to invest in other activities.
7. CHAVARAIDZE/PANEMUNHU (MT. DARWIN)
7.1. Organisation
The group was formed in 1988 and is made up of 11 members all male. The membership is made up of men from the locality who showed interest in the group. Women are also co-operating among themselves in gardening and chicken project. This is the reason for the absence of women in this group. The group faced three problems on inception. Firstly, the group did not have money to purchase fishing gear. Secondly, there were crocodiles in the dam and they were concerned as to how to set nets as they had no boat. Thirdly membership fees were not forthcoming, this resulted in the group lacking sound working capital to buy nets.
7.2. Administration and Management
The group has an executive made up of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and their deputies. The executive meets and draw up an operational plan which they present to a meeting attended by all members. Decisions are made through votes and consensus. Members rotate in terms of duties of laying nets, gutting and selling. The secretary keeps the books of accounts. An expenditure, the group meets and identifies needs and vote for the amounts of money required.
7.3. Finance
The joining fees is $20 and contributions to shares depends on catches. The group allows new members from anyone interested. They are also expected to pay the joining fee and any other contributions made by others so far. Seven members have left the group due to lack of equipment, hence members were not realising, their financial benefits.
7.4. Capital Assets
The group has three nets only and no boats. This makes laying of nets a problem because members have to swim to lay nets. This is dangerous given that some dams are infested with crocodiles.
7.5. Fishing Activities
Getting a permit is time consuming and demanding as follow-ups have to be done. The group is allowed to fish in four dams - Panemunhu, Bwizamombe, Makaranga and Nyutshoho. The dams are between three and seven kilometres apart and the group usually walks from one dam to the other.
Fishing is carried out all year round. Nets are set during the evening and removed in the morning. Bream and catfish are the most commonly caught species. Breams sell for Z$3 per kilogram whilst the catfish sells for Z$1.75 per kilogram. The group harvests less than their original expectations because they feel they lack of equipment especially boats. They also think that the fish, especially bream, evades nets when they become used to seeing them.
7.6. Disposal of fish
The group sells an average catches worth $20 a day. The main selling points are locally to surrounding farmers and Mt. Darwin. However, the local market is preferred due to proximity and sufficient demand - there is no need to incur transport costs.
Fish is mostly sold fresh due to demand. The secretary together with any one member are responsible for selling the fish. Members get about 2kg of fish every two weeks for their families.
7.7. Advantages
The main advantage of cooperating in the group is that at least it offers some employment opportunities. Members did not perceive any disadvantages of belonging to a fishing group. Only two members of the executive, the chairman and secretary have attended on financial planning and control.
7.8. Problems
The group is faced with two major problems. The first is they need a boat, but they lack the finance to buy one. This is compounded by the fact that they are operating at a low level due to lack of a boat so they are not making enough money to be able to purchase a boat. The second problem is that they are having problems in getting a license to sell fish at the business centres. They feel that the market offered by the centres is high paying than local. [ BUT IN SECTION 7.5 THE LOCAL MARKET WAS PREFERRED????]
7.9. Future outlook
The group intends to diversify by setting up a poultry project They all thought that fishing is a seasonal activity, hence to find other income generating projects to smoothen cash inflows.
8. MATURA FISHING GROUP (CHIVAKE DAM - MUREHWA)
The group was formed early this year. It has a membership of ten, but eight are active members. It was formed by neighbours who used to fish before. This group is still in its formative stage and is operating in an ad hoc fashion. They are still awaiting their permit, but they have started fishing already. All the fishing gear is homemade with each member using two nets. Each member is operating as an individual and decides what to do with the catch. Generally the membership is made up of older people who have had little or no formal education.
9. GUYU FISHING GROUP (BUSHU)
9.1. Organisation
This group was formed in 1986 with a membership of eight people. Five of the members are women. This group is non-operational. They have a permit, but their problem is that the nets they were given by Agritex fail to catch any fish- as the mesh size of the nets is too big. New members are allowed as long as they can pay the joining fees. One member left due to low catches.
9.2. Administration and Management
They intend to have planning meetings chaired by a chairmen. As yet the group does not have a clear cut mode of operation.
9.3. Finance
Membership fees are the major source of funds. Each member contributes $6.00 as joining fees. Since the group has not really started, no dividends have been shared yet.
9.4. Capital Assets
The group owns one iron boat and five nets. The boat was leased by Agritex. Membership fees were used too purchase nets.
9.5. Fishing Activities
The group did not face any problems in getting a permit in that Agritex was instrumental in its formation. The group has a permit to fish from two local dams. The fish during the day only. However, during winter they do not fish.
The major species caught are bream, and catfish. Bream sells for between eighty cents to four dollar depending on size, whilst the catfish can sell for between $2.00 to $5.00.
As members of the group were fishing, it has to be assumed that they were operating using other nets other than those recommended by Agritex otherwise, they would not been able to provide such information.
9.6. Disposal of Fish
All fish is disposed fresh due to the high demand for fresh fish. The main selling point is the dam site and occasionally in the locality. However, the group has not started in earnest due to the problem of net size mentioned above.
9.7 Advantages
The main advantage mentioned was that fishing generates income with which they use to purchase agricultural inputs.
9.8 Problems
The main problem was net size. They consider the size of net they were provided by Agritex to be too big. The problem is that the Agritex officers never came back.
9.10 Future Outlook
The group would like to diversify into gardening to expand the income generating base.
