Fish Consumption Pattern and Marketing Efforts in Arba Minch Town, Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia

Malnutrition is the serious problem in developing countries where access to varieties of food is limited to few and repetitive food items. Fish consumption plays important role in reducing the problem of malnutrition, if consumed both at commercial places and at home. This paper investigated the fish consumption status and pattern in Arba Minch town (well known by fish resource in Ethiopia). Consumption variations between differed demographic categories and the status of fish marketing were assessed. Descriptive research method has been employed primary data collected through questionnaire from 115 fish consumers selected conveniently at commercial establishments (hotels, restaurants, dining rooms, and resorts). The result of X2-test of independence showed statistically significant association between two demographic variables (education X2 (1) = 20.023, =0.05, P = 0.000 and income X2 (1) =26.366, =0.05, P =0.000) and respondents consumption status. The Cramers V (0.417 and 0.479) test of strength of the associations was found moderate. The overall fish consumption status is low, and the current marketing efforts were found poor. It can be recommended that commercial food establishments can enhance fish consumption by promoting fish nutritional and health value using outdoor promotion tools, diversifying the fish products in their menu and preparing food contest.