Hydrology and fish distribution at the Sofala Bank (Mozambique)

A brief review is made of the hydrologic conditions at the Sofala Bank, mainly based on the research data obtained from 1978 to 1982. A description is attempted of the circulation pattern and the distribution of water masses in the area, four hydrologic regimes being identified. These are compared with the distributions of different pelagic and demersal fish species. A tendency is found for different groups of species to prefer different hydrologic regimes.

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 2: April-June 2011

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm requested for technical assistance of NaFIRRI to undertake regular environment monitoring of the cage site as is mandatory under the NEMA conditions. Thus, NAFIRRI undertakes quarterly environment surveys in the cage area covering selected physical-chemical factors i.e. water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; nutrient status, algal and invertebrate communities (zooplankton and macro-benthos) as well as fish community. The first environmental survey was undertaken in February 2011. Results/observations made during the second quarter (April-June 2011) field survey are presented in this technical report along with a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities on the water environment and the different aquatic biota in and around the cages including natural fish communities.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, November 2013

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) have an established collaborative arrangement where NaFIRRI provides technical back‐stopping to enable quarterly environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The agreed study areas are selected physical‐chemical factors (water depth, water transparency/secchi depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and nutrient status), algal community (including primary production), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and the fish community. This report presents field observations made during the fourth quarter (October‐December) field survey undertaken during December 2013; along with scientific interpretation and discussion of the results in reference to possible impacts of the cage facility to the water environment quality and aquatic biota.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, June 2013

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm requested NaFIRRI to provide technical assistance to undertake regular environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement under the NEMA conditions. NAFIRRI agreed to undertake regular environment surveys in the cage area covering selected physical‐chemical factors (water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, nutrient status), algal aquatic invertebrates (micro‐invertebrates/zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and fish communities. During the year 2013, it was agreed with management to undertake quarterly environment monitoring surveys. However, the first quarter (January‐March 2013) survey was missed out due to late decision. The present report therefore covers the survey taken during the second quarter (April‐June 2013). Results/observations made are presented in this technical report along with a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and aquatic biota.