Handlines are also used to catch Nile perch, mainly on lakes Chamo and Abaya. Although physical conditions allow for aquaculture development, no local tradition as such exists. Since 1975, apart from a few small fish ponds, aquaculture consists essentially of culture-based fish stock enhancement operations in dams and rivers. This is carried out at the Sebeta fisheries research station. Since its activities began, the station has introduced about one million fingerlings, mostly Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii .
Consumers generally prefer fresh fish.
The Fish Production and Marketing Corporation, a parastatal company, has dominated fish marketing activities over the last 15 years. Previously in a monopolistic situation, the company now has to compete with private traders, and uses modern processing methods, e.g., filleting and freezing and more recently canning. Private traders now handle more than half of the total production. They tend to specialize in the distribution of whole fresh fish. Historically and culturally, Ethiopians eat more meat than fish.