Abstract:
This study was implemented to generate information on assessing BMUs awareness on
sardine processing and marketing on Lake Victoria Tanzania. Specifically, the study
intended to; identify the roles BMUs are currently performing in line with sardine
processing practices with the proposed BMUs guidelines and generating information to
carry out the training need assessment for the studied BMUs. The study was conducted in
Tanzania part of the lake. A total of 11 BMUs participated, drawn from three districts of
Mwanza city. Data was collected using three main methods; A questionnaire-based
survey involving a total of 155 respondents, Key informant interviews (n = 3) was done to
to cover the information from the Focus Group Discussions, and also FGD (n = 77) with
different groups at each site. After fieldwork data was entered in spreadsheets (Excel and
SPSS) and analyzed. Multiple response analysis was used to determine the relationship
between sardine handling, processing and training need within BMUs. BMUs are aware
of various interventions done for sustainable fishery resource utilization. Though efforts
to improve the value of sardines have been shown but BMUs were observed with
challenges such as, lack of government and financial support, conflict of interest, poor
record keeping, lack of regular trainings and proper market. In those circumstances
BMUs are not sustainable, although they are feasible institutions. There is a need to build
capacity through provision of equipments, access to financial resources, incentives to
BMUs leaders, relevant training skills and awareness creation for BMUs to be feasible
and sustainable.
