Socioeconomic survey was conducted on small scale fisheries based on eastern side of Lake Abaya,
Ethiopia. Assessment on Fish catch composition and health were made on selected landing site. In
addition house hold surveys were made on selected kebeles (villages) to examine the degree of
dependency on the fishery resources. The result indicated that a total of 4 species were encountered
during catch assessment study and all are commercially important and; these are tilapia (Oreochromis
niloticus) representing 68% and 39% of the catch, catfish (Clarias gariepinus) representing 24% and
38% of the catch, Silver catfish (Bagrus docmac) representing 3% and 8% and Nile perch (Lates
niloticus) representing 5% and 15% of the catch in number and biomass respectively. Comparison of
average body length of fish at harvest with the average length at first age of maturity (Lm) revealed that
less fishing pressure was observed in the first three fish species while Nile perch showed higher fishing
pressure. Fishing techniques are overwhelmingly artisan where fishermen use non motorized wooden
boats and employ gillnets of varying net size and hook and line. The estimated Catch per unit effort
(CPUE) is 26.65kg/net. Majority of the households (62.8%) were obtaining their income both from
agriculture and fishing. In single terms fishing is an important source of livelihood (30.2%) compared
with agriculture (7%). The mean annual fish consumption per capita for the sample respondents was 2.72
kg quite higher than the national figure (0.476kg). Owning to their significant contribution to livelihood
and house food security small scale fisheries in the study area deserves better attention like other
agricultural activities.