Researchers Stress Need to Tap Fish Resources in Omo River, Lake Turkana

Addis Ababa (ENA) November 25/ 2022 An international aquatic biodiversity researcher team has stressed the need to tap the vast potential of fishery resources in Omo River and Lake Turkana.

Universities from Canada, USA, Kenya, and Ethiopia are working to establish Omo-Turkana Biodiversity Research Center in order to tap the vast potential of fishery resources in Omo River and Lake Turkana.  

The aquatic bio-diversity researcher team has undertaken a field visit in Ethiopia to unleash the potential, it was learned.

Members of the team told ENA that efforts must be exerted to adequately tap the resources in Omo River and Turkana Lake to enhance economic development beyond ensuring food security.  

The Kenya bio-diversity researcher and team leader of the advisory group for Lake Turkana, Kevin Obiero said Ethiopia is immensely endowed with natural resources.

Particularly, he noted that the enormous fishery resources available in Omo River and Lake Turkana could be used as crucial instrument to help the nation ensure food security and strengthen revenue.  

In this regard, the establishment of the Omo-Turkana Biodiversity Research Center in the Omo Rift valley will provide significant contribution, the researcher underlined.  

Canadian International Biodiversity Research Center Director-General, Matthew McCandless on his part said the establishment of a joint research team comprising international researchers will help to strengthen experience sharing activities vital to developing the resources.    

He stressed the need to develop strategies and policies with a view to curbing the growing threats of climate change in the habitats of seas.

Ethiopia's Jinka University President, Kusei Gudishe said the university is carrying out activities with a view to becoming center of excellence in agro-industry, fishery and bio-diversity.

In this regard, the establishment of the center will be additional capacity to the ongoing efforts of the university, he added.

Noting the huge resources at Omo River and Lake Turkana, Kusei stressed the need to intensify research activities and exploit the available resources for economic development.