Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of traditional ecological knowledge in the management and sustainability of fisheries in East Africa: a long-neglected strategy?

  • Opinion
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Management and sustainability of fisheries has been guided by theories and models derived from modern ecological science. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been ignored in all spheres of decision-making for management and sustainability of fisheries in East Africa. TEK guided African communities in the way they associated and interacted with the natural environment around them. Spiritual rituals, religious practices, social taboos and sacred animal totems guided the peoples on how and when to utilize the available natural resources. In the advent of modern scientific knowledge, the African traditional knowledge quickly faded away and is generally seen as irrelevant. Today the potential of TEK in the management and sustainability of fisheries in East Africa has not been realized and its status and future is unknown. TEK should be complementary to modern scientific knowledge in the management and sustainability of fisheries. This paper therefore focuses on the potential application of TEK in the management and sustainability of fisheries in East Africa and the issues that impede its application.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • T.G. Andrew G.A. Rouhani S.J. Seti (2000) ArticleTitleCan small-scale fisheries contribute to poverty alleviation in traditionally non-fishing communities in South Africa? African Journal of Aquatic Science 25 49–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkes, F., 1993. Traditional ecological knowledge in perspective. In Inglis, J. T. (ed.), Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Concepts and Cases. International Development Research Centre: 1–7.

  • F. Berkes M. Kislalioglu (1991) management and sustainable development J.R. Durand J. Lemoalle J. Weber (Eds) La recherché face à la pêche artisanale ORSTOM Paris 567–574

    Google Scholar 

  • Claridge, G., 1997. What is successful co-management? In Claridge, G., B. O’Callaghan (eds.), Community Involvement in Wetland Management: Lessons from the Field. Wetlands International: 19–21.

  • Eythorsson, E., 1993. Sami fjord fishermen and the state. In Inglis, J. T. (ed.), Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Concepts and Cases. International Development Research Centre: 133–142.

  • C. Fay (1989a) ArticleTitleSacrifices, prix du sang, “eau du maitre”: fondation des territories de pêche dans le delta central du Niger (Mali) Cahiers de Sciences humaines 25 159–176

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Fay (1989b) ArticleTitleSystèmes halieutiques et espaces de pouvoirs: transformation des droits et des pratiques de pêche dans le delta central du Niger (Mali) 1920–1980 Cahiers de Sciences humaines 25 213–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobson G., 2003. Traditional knowledge is science (online). http://www.carc.org/pubs/v20no1 /science.htm

  • A. Kalland (1990) Mare Closum as a management tool in fishing societies J.A.E. Oglethorpe (Eds) Tenure and Sustainable Use IUCN Gland Switzerland and Cambridge U.K 119–129

    Google Scholar 

  • J.R. McGoodwin (1990) Crisis in the World’s Fisheries: People, Problems and Policies Stanford University Press Stanford California 235

    Google Scholar 

  • C.H. Olver B.J. Shuter C.K. Minns (1995) ArticleTitleToward a definition of conservation principles for fisheries management Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52 1584–1594

    Google Scholar 

  • L.S. Parsons (1993) ArticleTitleManagement of marine fisheries in Canada Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 225 763

    Google Scholar 

  • G.J. Scrimgeour D. Wicklum (1996) ArticleTitleAquatic ecosystem health and integrity: problems and potential solutions Journal of the North American Benthological Society 15 254–261

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Todd E. Ritchie (2000) ArticleTitleEnvironmental non-governmental organizations and the common fisheries policy Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 10 141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • R.L. Welcomme (1979) Fisheries Ecology of Floodplain Rivers The Chaucer Press Ltd. London 317

    Google Scholar 

  • B.C.W. Vander Waal (2000) ArticleTitleFish as a resource in a rural river in the Northern Province, South Africa African Journal of Aquatic Science 25 56–70

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Njoro, Kenya

    Jude Mutuku Mathooko

Authors
  1. Jude Mutuku Mathooko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jude Mutuku Mathooko.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mathooko, J.M. Application of traditional ecological knowledge in the management and sustainability of fisheries in East Africa: a long-neglected strategy?. Hydrobiologia 537, 1–6 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-2788-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-2788-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation