The nutritional status of fishing and non-fishing communities of Lake Victoria basin

We examined socio-economic variables that contribute to malnutrition in selected communities in the Lake Victoria basin during 2001. The study was carried out in nine districts and hinterland communities up to 25 km awayfrom the beach were used as the reference population. The main variables examined were: feeding habits, income and intra-household food distribution and living standards. Others included disease and health, sanitation and hygiene, childcare and mothers' age and workload, weaning practices, agricultural production and food availability, care during pregnancy and food taboos.

Epidemiology of bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) among fishing communities of Lake Victoria

The study was done in six districts of Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia and Kalangala. At both mainland shoreline and islands, 271 adult respondents were randomly selected from 17 landing sites of Lake Victoria over a four months period between October 2000 and January 2001. A questionnaire was administered for symptoms of schistosomiasis and samples of stool, urine and blood were taken from respondents. Stool and urine were analysed for schistosome eggs and blood. Blood was analysed for increased eosinophils. Snail samples were collected from various depths along the shoreline of study sites identified and screened for schistosome cercariae.

Lake Victoria fisheries catch assessment surveys (CAS) information, Uganda, 2005 - 2011

This CAS report provides estimates of the quantities of fish landed in the riparian districts sharing the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria;the monetary value of the fish catches; the contribution of different fish species to the catches; and the trends in fish catch rates, and the monthly catches for the sampled month since the beginning of the current CAS activities from July 2005 to May 2011. So far there have been 14 CASs conducted in the Uganda sector of the lake. The report also compares the annual catch and gross beach value of the catch in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011.

Final report of the baseline data reconstruction for the Quality Assurance for Fish Marketing Project

A baseline survey for the project which had been conducted in 2009 had gaps that could not allow assessment of project performance in the outcome and impact indicators to be made. This study was, therefore, commissioned to reconstruct the baseline data, aligned to the impact and outcome indicators on the project logframe and results framework, against which project achievements could be assessed. The purpose and scope of the study was to reconstruct the baseline data and analysis describing the situation prior to QAFM Project inception, taking 2008 as the baseline year, which was aligned to the project logframe outcome and impact indicators; to collect data on current status to compare project outcome (and where possible impact) in improved fish handling sites in comparison with the baseline as well as with comparable non-improved fish landing sites as control group. The study was conducted through secondary data search from sources at NaFIRRI, DFR and ICEIDA. Field data collection was carried out using a sample survey covering 312 respondents including boat and gear owners, crew members, processors and traders at eight project and two control landing sites. Key Informant Interviews were conducted with DFOs and BMU leaders in the study districts and landing sites respectively.

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.

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.

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

This catch assessment report provides the estimates of the quantities of fish landed in the riparian districts sharing the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria; the monetary value of the fish catches; the contribution of different fish species to the total catches; and the trends of fish catch rates, total fish monthly catches for the sampled month since the beginning of the current catch assessment activities, i.e. July 2005 to December 2006.

Analysis of fish catch data from 1985 to 1994 in the Kenyan inshore marine waters

Fish landing data collected by the Kenyan Fisheries Department from the nearshort coastal marine waters from 1985 to 1994 were statistically analyzed to determine trends in the traditional fisher's catch. Over the ten year period a significant decline occurred for total catch and for catches of seven commercially important fish families: Lethrinidae, Siganidae. Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Carangidae, Scombridae and Mullidae. 1994 registercd the lowest catch over ten years. The total catch for all the fish declined from a mean annual catch of 6150 metric tonnes in the 1980's to a mean of 5141 metric tonnes in the 1990's with the catch for 1986 being 2 times higher than that of 1994. Although Mombasa district had the highest mean annual landing, its total landings like that of Lamu and Kwale districts decreased over the years. However, Kilifi district showed a steady increase in catches over the years. The changes in fish landings is thought to be caused by lack of appropriate fishing regulations, leading to overfishing of the lagoonal reefs beyond their maximum sustainable yields.