~ 241 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017; 5(1): 241-246 E-ISSN: 2347-5129 P-ISSN: 2394-0506 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2017; 5(1): 241-246 © 2017 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 06-11-2016 Accepted: 07-12-2016 Tadlo Awoke Mengesha Department of Animal Production and Extension, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Sciences.University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia Mebratu Melaku Belachew Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia Correspondence Tadlo Awoke Mengesha Department of Animal Production and Extension, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Sciences. and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia Challenges and possible mitigation of Ethiopia fishery: A review Tadlo Awoke Mengesha and Mebratu Melaku Belachew Abstract This paper reviews the major existing and potential threats of Ethiopian fishery and there possible mitigation. Ethiopia has a rich diversity of Ichthyo-fauna in its lakes, rivers and reservoirs, although they are poorly known. Seven major threats to lakes of the world include: accelerated Eutrophication, invasive species, toxic contamination, overfishing, water diversion, acidification, and climate change. However in Ethiopia there are a number of challenges which affect fishery such as overfishing, wetland degradation, Dam construction for the purpose of hydropower and irrigation, deforestation and Urbanization and industrialization. The possible mitigation of the above problems has management strategies should comprise both biophysical and socioeconomic aspects with emphasis on issues like adoption of watershed/ecosystem approach at policy level, integration of income generation in conservation activities, sharing of responsibility/benefits among local stakeholders, institutional strengthening for environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable development of lakes. To protect the major challenges of fresh water are watershed protection include: reducing pollution by silt load, preventing negative water level fluctuation, eliminating overexploitation of resources, mitigation of conflict of interest in the use of water and land resources (deforestation, water logging, flooding, overgrazing, population pressure, and degradation). Keywords: Biodiversity, challenge, ecology, fishery, mitigation, Ethiopia Introduction Providing adequate food for a rapidly increasing human population is one of the greatest challenges in the world. The problem is particularly acute in countries like Ethiopia where, besides population explosion, natural and manmade calamities have aggravated the problem. In addition to increase food production from land agriculture, it is necessary to sustainable exploit the aquatic ecosystem to contribute towards the effort of food security by virtue of their high productivity. Ethiopian’s fish resources could undoubtedly offer one of the solutions to the problem of food shortage in the country. Ethiopia has a rich diversity of Ichthyo-fauna in its lakes, rivers and reservoirs, although they are poorly known (Getahun & Stiassny, 1998) [23] . According to Golubtsov and Mina (2003) [2] , the total number of valid species in Ethiopia inland waters is about 168 to 183 including 37 to 57 countrywide endemics. There are also 10 exotic fish species introduced from abroad into Ethiopian fresh waters (Tedla and Hyelemeske, 1981) [39] . Currently results of various studies indicate that the number of fish species could increase to 200 and above (JERBE, 2007) [29] . Fishery, livestock husbandry, small scale agriculture and wetland biomass harvesting are the main livelihood activities for communities in the African lake and river basins. The traditional lake fisheries have declined due to overfishing and environmental degradation, with Lake Victoria as a prime example. Together, these have caused a poor economic situation of rural communities who, apart from natural resources, have few alternative sources of income. Wetland crop and fish farming have become increasingly important for people living in river and lake regions. Seven major threats to lakes of the world include: accelerated Eutrophication, invasive species, toxic contamination, overfishing, water diversion, acidification, and climate change. Institutions and institutional arrangements for addressing these issues and for implementing a watershed approach is just beginning to emerge on lakes around the world (Borre et al. 2001) [9] . As many other countries challenged in the world, population rise urbanization, agricultural development, industrialization and other water resource development activities have resulted