ABSTRACT
The depletion of inland fisheries resources poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of fishing communities in sub-Saharan Africa, with significant implications for livelihoods and well-being. This chapter examines the role of cooperative societies in managing fisheries resources within the Tungan Mairuwa community, a lakeside settlement that relies heavily on small-scale fishing. Faced with decades of declining fish yields, from over 28,639 metric tons after the formation of the reservoir in 1964 to around 4,800 metric tons by the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to poor governance, habitat degradation, and overfishing, the Challenge Program on Water and Food Project was implemented in 2008 as an action research initiative. Using a baseline survey (n = 40 households), followed by a post-intervention evaluation in 2011 and a focus group discussion (FGD) in 2025, the chapter assessed the impact of cooperatives on resource management and socioeconomic development. Findings reveal that the cooperatives instituted several management mechanisms, including fisher registration, gear regulation, seasonal bans, restocking efforts, and livelihood diversification through revolving loans. Participants reported that fish stocks showed signs of recovery, with community members reporting higher catches and better-quality species. Household incomes improved across the board, and the project contributed to a 38.2% increase in hospital visits, reflecting enhanced access to formal healthcare services. Girls’ school enrolment rose from 24 in 2008 to 105 by 2024. The cooperatives also managed borehole maintenance, healthcare delivery, education support, and enterprise development, significantly enhancing community welfare. The chapter concludes that cooperative societies, when properly structured and supported, can serve as effective grassroots institutions for natural resource (such as fisheries) governance, poverty alleviation, and socio-economic transformation. Sustaining the observed gains requires structured business planning, legal reforms, and targeted training. The chapter recommends institutionalising cooperative business models, revising legislation to strengthen their legal standing, and expanding training to improve management skills. Partnerships with research and development agencies are also necessary to reinforce the role of cooperatives in natural resource governance and in promoting sustainable livelihoods.
