A report of the bottom trawl monitoring survey of Lake Victoria, Uganda, September-October 2007

Under the implementation of the fisheries management plan (IFMP) for Lake Victoria result area 4, bottom trawl monitoring surveys are undertaken to monitor changes in the status of the fish stocks and environment of Lake Victoria. Trawl together with the lake-wide Hydroacoustic surveys give a reflection on the status of fish stocks in the lake to guide management decisions The National working group for bottom trawl surveys in Uganda undertakes these surveys within the Uganda sector of Lake Victoria. For the purpose of this survey, the Uganda sector of Lake Victoria is divided into three zones. A cruise lasting twenty days is conducted in two phases (two legs) 13 days covering Zones I and II and 7 days in Zone III.

A baseline survey of water quality, invertebrates, fisheries and socioeconomics on Lake Edward for proposed seismic surveys in block 4B : Final report

The National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) on behalf of OPEP Consult Ltd undertook a baseline survey of the transition zone (basically along the shoreline) and near shore habitats of the Uganda apart of Lake Edward and Kazinga channel during December 2007 to January 2008. A major objective of the baseline survey was to generate baseline information on the aquatic ecosystem features related to the fisheries and socio-economics of the fish catch including issues raised by residents in the fish landing sites. Therefore, the baseline survey captured information on water quality, the aquatic invertebrate fauna, aspects of fish biology and ecology, the fish catch including facilities at fish landings, value in the catch and related fisheries socio-economic issues perceived by residents in the settled areas along the shores.

A report of the gillnet survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria under IFMP (January to March 2006)

Under the Implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for Lake Victoria Result area 4, quarterly gillnet surveys are undertaken to monitor changes in fish stocks and environmental parameters in the shallow nontrawlable areas of the lake For purposes of monitoring surveys, the Ugandan sector of Lake Victoria is divided into 3 zones as shown in Figure 1. During the second quarter of APE2, two gillnet surveys were undertaken in zones 1 and 3 in February and March 2006 respectively. The purpose of the surveys was to monitor changes in the fish stocks and their biological characteristics, water quality, algal dynamics and invertebrate communities; as detailed in the various sections of the report. The surveys followed those conducted in November and December 2006 in the same zones. Results of the surveys showed that the number of fish taxa was higher in the near-shore fleets (0-100m) decreasing towards offshore. The near-shore areas were also associated with high primary productivity and hence secondary production to which Caridina and other invertebrates are part. These organisms are an important source of food for the fish and this may partly account for the high number of fish species recorded in this area of the lake. It was also observed that although Nile perch was the most dominant fish species recorded in all the stations during the surveys, haplochromines, Brycinus sadleri, Brycinus jacksonii Oreochromis niloticus and various mormyrid species contributed significantly to the fish biomass. The presence of many fish species and their coexistence with the predator, Nile perch is attributed to the presence of macrophyte cover and rocky habitats which serve as refugia in the shallow inshore habitats of Lake Victoria. In addition, the vegetated habitats are an important source of food for the fishes. As reported in macro-invertebrate studies, big populations of Caridina and other invertebrates were recorded among macrophyte beds. Caridina is an important source of food for juvenile Nile perch and other fish species so are the other invertebrates especially chironomid larvae, odonata nymphs and molluscs. Resurgence in haplochromine cichlids was observed during the surveys. The presence of haplochromines cichlids in all the sites especially Thruston Bay where it ranked the second by percentage contribution in number, is evidence of the recovery of this group of fishes which had declined largely due to predation by L. niloticus. Caridina nilotica has also increased in biomass and is a major component of the Nile perch diet. This could have reduced predation pressure on the haplochromines by Nile perch and has possibly contributed to recent resurgence in haplochromines cichlids in the lake in the shallow nontrawlable areas of the lake Rastrineobola argentea was found to be an important prey item for Nile perch and other fish species such as Clarias gariepinus. Measures should therefore be taken to ensure sustainable harvesting of Dagaa so that there is enough left to sustain the fishery of Nile perch and other species.

A report of the fisheries catch assessment survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for the March 2007 survey

This report presents findings of the CAS conducted in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria in March 2007. The results of the previous seven CASs conducted under the same programme in July/August/September/November 2005, and March/August/December 2006 are included to show the emerging trends.

Report on the frame survey of Lake Albert conducted in May 2012

Lake Albert and Albert Nile are a major source of fisheries resources sustaining the riparian communities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Like all shared bodies of Uganda Lake Albert and Albert Nile fisheries are faced with immense exploitation pressure one time described as the tragedy of the commons. In Uganda, the lake is shared by five riparian districts namely: Buliisa, bundibugyo, Hoima, Kibaale and Nebbi. The lake covers a total estimated surface area of 5,270 km2 with approximately 60% within Ugandan waters (Walker, 1972). It is located in the western part of the great rift-valley at an altitude of 618 m above Sea level. The central parts of the lake are characterized by steep escarpments whereas the northern and southern parts lie in a plain of the rift valley. The plains are gently sloping, resulting in shallow swampy inshore waters in many places. The major inflowing rivers are the Semliki and Kafu in the south, and the Victoria Nile at the northern tip. The lake has a diverse fish fauna with a gradient of multi-species fisheries in different parts of the lake.

Aquatic and fisheries survey of the upper Victoria Nile: a report prepared for AES Nile Power Bujagali hydropower project, final report

The aquatic ecosystem of the Upper Victoria Nile is part of a wider complex of water bodies (lakes and rivers) in Uganda that is of immense socioeconomic importance, especially the fisheries. A source of food, income, energy, irrigation and drinking water, the protection, sustainable use and management of the Upper Victoria Nile water resources are vital to Uganda's economy. The Upper Victoria Nile,due to its abundance of socio-economic benefits,provides a significant contribution to Uganda's economy. The fisheries contribute to the sector as a major source of the export earnings, second to coffee (NEMA,1996), sustain small fishing villages,provide income and generally improve nutrition. Apart from the socio-economic significance of the fisheries,the riverine features of the Upper Victoria Nile, especially its hydropower potential,distinguish this river from the rest of the aquatic ecosystems in the country.

The first quarter survey of the aquatic system and fisheries of the upper Victoria Nile, 6th -13th April 2006

The purpose of this present study therefore is to provide and update the AES Nile Power EIA baseline information on the ecology of the river ecosystem prior to the construction of the dam. The study is intended to provide a basis for evaluating the impact of the project on the river environment, the biological resources associated with it and fisheries socia-economics and the vector/sanitation status. This report presents the findings of the first sampling regime which was conducted between the dates of 6th-13th April 2006 and compared with the AESNP Environmental Impact Assessment findings of the second quarter carried out during 5th-14th April 2000.

Report of the baseline survey undertaken on the Chinese cage site in Napoleon Gulf, Northern Lake Victoria, 12 March 2012

The government of the People's Republic of China through a 2007 agreement with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, has establishment of an Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center (ATDC). The first phase covering the building of aquaculture infrastructure at Kajjansi ARDC is complete and the second operation phase has started in which facilities for cage culture have been set up in the Napoleon gulf, northern Lake Victoria near Jinja. The cage facility is aimed at boosting fish farming within the lake as a diversification to the traditional pond fish culture technology. NaFIRRI scientists as well as Chinese experts undertook a baseline survey in the chosen cage site on 12 March 2012. The survey covered determination of water depth, water transparency, measurement of selected physical-chemical parameters (temperature,dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH; determination of the nutrient status and study of algae, invertebrate and fish communities at the site. Materials and methodologies used in the survey were based on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of NaFIRRI. The study area was divided into three study sites. Site 1 (upstream) was at 8.9 metre depth while site 2 (proposed cage site) and site 3 (downstream) were 6 and 4.3 metres deep respectively. Water transparency was lowest at site 1 (1.58 m) and highest at site 3 (1.64 m). Dissolved oxygen at the three sites ranged from 6.0 to 8 mg/I. Water temperature profiles fluctuated within narrow limits between 26.5 and 27.5 DC. Measurements of pH were between 7 (neutral) and 8 (alkaline) while electrical conductivity was between 98 and 101 uS/em. These observed physical-chemical parameters at the study site were considered suitable for cage fish rearing purposes. Nitrite-nitrogen levels varied within narrow limits from 0.043 to 0.0453 mgtl. Similarly, Ammonia-nitrogen varied between 0.015 and 0.0185 mg/1. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) level was highest at site 3 (O.012mgll) compared to that at sites 1 and 2 (0.009mgll). Total suspended solids (TSS) were higher at site 1 (83.3mgll), thereafter decreasing to lower levels at sites 2 (24.8mgtl) and 3 (19.8mgl) respectively. The nutrient level results observed here all fall below the maximum permissible limits by NEMA and therefore the site is recommended for cage culture The algal community was constituted by four major groups: Blue greens,Greens, Cryptophytes, and Diatoms with blue greens as the common and dominant group. High algal biomass (19944961 ugtL) of the dominant blue green algae was observed at site 1 compared site 2 and 3 (58655.2 & 27487. 7 ugtL) respectively. Occurrence of toxicin producing algae: microsytis and cylindrospermopsis in the proposed cage area was considered to be of not much significance as their concentrations were below harmful levels. However, monitoring their presence, biomass and seasonality will be critical in order to follow when and where they occur and at what time of the year for ease of management of the cages

A report of the fisheries catch assessment survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for the March 2006 survey

This report presents findings of the CAS conducted in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria in March 2006. The results of the CASs in July, August, September, and November 2005 are also included to show the emerging trends. The findings indicate stable production of Nile perch and tilapia but large fluctuations in the Mukene fishery. The estimates from the March 2006 data show a monthly catch of 12,360.2 t worth shs12.8 billion of direct gross income to the fishers. Out of this, 36% (4479.4 t) of the catch was Nile perch which was worth shs 9.3 billion (73%) of the direct gross revenue of the fishers. The catches of tilapia contributed 19% of the total catch and 18% of the gross revenue from the catches at the beach. The catches of Mukene, a low value fish, contributed 44% of the weight of the total catches but yielded only 8% of the estimated gross income of fishers.

A report of the fisheries catch assessment survey (CAS) in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for July 2005

This report presents findings of the first CAS in the Ugandan waters following the agreed SOPs, carried out in July 2005. The findings indicate a total fish catch of 15,047.5 t for July 2005, contributed by Mukene/Dagaa (39.5%), Nile perch (33.1%), Tilapias (17.1%), Haplochromines (9.2%) and other fish species 1.2%. This information gives a new perspective of the estimates of fish production in the Ugandan waters of the lake which are based on field observations. Continuation of support to the CAS programme will certainly get rid of the uncertainties about the fish production levels of the lake which have been there for a long time. This information is vital for fisheries development and fisheries management endeavours.

Report on Lake Wamala fisheries catch assessment survey 2012

Lake Wamala is one of the small lakes in Uganda, and lies between latitudes 0o 15; and 0o 25' N 31o 45' to longitude 32o 00' E, longitude and at an altitude of 1000m above sea level. Following ths 1961 heavy rains the lake expanded from about 100 to 118 sq. km and the swamps covered almost 60 sq km (Okaranon 1993). This lake was first stocked with Oreohromis niloticus eduardianus populary known as Oreohromis niloticus then Oreochromis leucostictus and then Tilapia zillii then after that it was officially opened for commercial fishing in 1960. Despite of the commercial fishery there used to be subsistance fishing that was mainly by the use of wires and hooks and targeted the Clarias and Protopterus species. The lake fishery used to be highly profitable after the opening in 1960; though in 1970s the fishers started complaining of the declining state of the fishery. At that time the O. niloticus had gone down to less than 1 kg per net per night by 1975 (Okaranon 1993). Due to it led to scientists undertake fisheries surveys in 1975/78 and later 1988/92 then later on there subsquent survey in 2003. Since that time there has been no work done until March 2012 that both catch assessment and frame surveys undertaken to ensure that management issues are addressed concerning this riparian water body. The main objectives of the survey were:- To assess fish production levels in the commercial fisheries of Lake Wamala (Catch Assessment). To assess the fishing effort and facilities available at the fish landings that supports the fisher folks.

National report of the frame survey 2012 on the Uganda side of Lake Victoria

This is a report on the results of the Frame Survey conducted in the Uganda side of Lake Victoria during August 2012 by the LVFO Institutions, namely: the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR) Uganda and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in close collaboration with the District Fisheries offices of Busia, Bugiri, Namayingo, Mayuge, Jinja, Buvuma, Buikwe, Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, Kalungu, Masaka, Kalangala and Rakai. In the 2012 Frame survey some indicators of fishing effort including e.g. number of fishers, fishing crafts and long line hooks increased; whereas others like the number of gillnets less than 5 inches decreased by 10.4% from that recorded in 2010. The other indicators of fishing effort, which showed decrease in 2012 included illegal beach seines and undersized gillnets (<5 inch mesh size). However, a large proportion (66%) of long line hooks recorded in the 2012 survey were in the smallest size range (hook size >10), which target small Nile perch. The number of other illegal gears, i.e. cast nets and monofilament gillnets showed modest increases (25%) between 2010 and 2012 while beach seines decrease by 15%. Recent crackdown on illegal fishing activities as part of measures for recovery of the Nile perch stocks which are faced with depletion appear to have had an impact but much more needs to be done to eradicate illegal fishing. The fisheries in the Ugandan waters have remained predominantly near shore with 61% of all fishing crafts using paddles out of which 17% were tiny three plank, flat bottomed boats locally known as parachutes. The 2012 survey shows an increase in the number of fishing crafts using sails by 65% from 682 in 2010 to 1125 in 2012. This is an encouraging trend as more fishers are able to access distant fishing grounds using free wind power. The Mukene fishery in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria remained underdeveloped comprising only 15.2% of all fishing crafts, of which 31% were motorised which is a great improvement from the situation recorded in 2010. The Catamarans increased to 18 with a majority in Buikwe district where there is a private investor fishing specifically for Mukene. The Catamarans in Kalangala were reported not to be working because of the high operating cost compared to ordinary Mukene fishing boats.

Report of Lake Wamala fisheries frame survey 2012

Lake Wamala, a small lake (180 km2) located in Central Uganda and believed to have been part of the main Lake Victoria and only got separated about 4000 years ago, has already undergone different levels of fisheries evolution that warrant using it as a case study to inform changes in other systems. Using resources provided by the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) II, under the Applied Research Facility, we evaluated the fishing inputs, socio-economic infrastructure and analyzed trends in fishery benefits to guide evolution of management advice. A frame survey was conducted on the entire lake (13th - 23rd March 2012) enumerating all fishing factors and enlisting available and accessible socio-economic infrastructure along the shores of the lake. The lake traverses districts (Gomba, Mityana, and Mubende) with its largest portion lying in Mityana. There are 26 established fish landing sites and about 600 fishers with a similar number of boats on the lake. The total number of boats on the lake is almost equal to the number of fishers; illustrating the common type (paracute) and size (Small, about 4 m) of boats and hence a fishing crew structure of one fisher per boat. Main fishing gears are Gillnets targeting the tilapia (Ngege) and long line hooks (Protperus, Mamba, and Clarias, Male). Almost equal number of boats used the two main gears on the lake (about 300 each). 97% of the gill nets on the lake are small (3.5” (8.9 cm – 4.5” – 11.4 cm) stretched mesh size while 98% of the hoots are large (< size 10). The implication is gill net fishers target small tilapia while long line fishers aim at the large mamba and male. Generally the lake has poor socio-economic infrastructure compared to other lakes of Uganda probably due to its geo-morphological setting. The lakes fishing factors have continued to expand with the ever increasing population. There may be need to check the continued entry into the fisheries especially if the increasing effort does not translate into increase in fishery yield.

Report of frame survey of the Kyoga basin lakes 2008

A comprehensive Frame survey was carried out on lakes Kwania, Bisina, Nakuwa, Kyoga and other minor lakes in the Lake Kyoga Basin in June 2008 (Figure 1). The Frame survey was coordinated by the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR) in collaboration with the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in terms of technical support. The riparian districts through the sub-county fisheries offices and the BMUs provided the enumerators and supervisors. The frame survey captured all the important characteristics of the fisheries and facilities supporting the fisheries and thus provides a strong baseline for future reference of management interventions in the basin.

Final report of the fisheries catch assessment survey in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria for the March 2010 survey

This report presents findings of the CAS conducted in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria in March 2010. The results of the previous ten CASs conducted under the same programme in July, August, September and November 2005; in March, August and December 2006; in March, and August 2007; in February and December 2008 are included to show the emerging trends. The report also presents total annual catch estimates for the Ugandan part of the lake from 2005 to 2010.