ADDIS ABABA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Saturday called for investment in fish development and processing endeavors so as to minimize the existing dependence on imported fish products for the domestic market.

The call by the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday came shortly after the East African country's decision to merge the former ministry of livestock and fisheries with the ministry of agriculture, saying it would spur developments in all involved sectors.

Ethiopia, a landlocked country without access to a major ocean or sea, solely depends on lakes and rivers for its fish products' demands and consumption.

According to Getahun Mekuria, Ethiopia's Minister of Science and Technology, due to the existing lack of modern technologies in the sector, Ethiopia was not so far able to fully utilize its "abundant fish resources."

Noting Ethiopia's dependence on imported fish products to meet its local demands, Mekuria further called for concerted efforts to address the demand through domestic resources.