Managing Nile perch using slot size: is it possible?

The fishery of Lake Victoria became a major commercial fishery with the introduction of Nile perch in 1950s and 1960s. Biological and population characteristics point to a fishery under intense fishing pressure attributed to increased capacity and use of illegal fishing gears. Studies conducted between 1998 to 2000 suggested capture of fish between slot size of 50 to 85 cm TL to sustain the fishery. Samples from Kenya and Uganda factories in 2008 showed that 50% and 71% of individuals processed were below the slot size respectively. This study revealed that fish below and above the slot has continued being caught and processed. This confirms that the slot size is hardly adhered to by both the fishers and the processors. The paper explores why the slot size has not been a successful tool in management of Nile perch and suggests strategies to sustain the fishery

The Co-management Survey report: an executive summary

Co-management is typically known to be a resource management system that shares managerial responsibility between the state and other stakeholders of a resource. In the case of Lake Victoria, one would expect the state to be represented by the fisheries departments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, while stakeholder groups may comprise fishing communities, fish processing factories and municipalities. Taking that into account, the survey's objectives were defined as: (a) To identify the difficulties and impracticalities inherent in implementing state-based regulations via a "top-down" management strategy. (b) To assess the prevalence of community-based institutions that either seek to regulate the fishery or have the potential to be used to regulate it. (c) To identify ways in which community-based regulatory and monitory systems may be established, and how these will fare over time. (d) To identify roles for national Fisheries Departments, industrial fish processors and other stakeholders. (e) To develop well-founded policy suggestions for the establishment of a co-management framework to manage the fisheries of Lake Victoria.

The Bondo Stakeholders' Workshop, February 26th - 27th, 2001

This paper is a review of the workshop held at Bondo in Kenya to assess the role of local stakeholders in the of co-management of Lake Victoria's fisheries within the frame of the LVFRP.

Report of the PRA carried out at Ihale Beach, Tanzania, April 11-14, 2000

Ihale is a large landing site lying approximately 65 km. from Mwanza along the main Mwanza-Musoma highway. Ihale Beach was selected as a potential candidate for the 3-beaches study because of its proximity to Mwanza, and hence suitability for frequent monitoring; and because it is served by a road accessible during the rainy seasons. As with the first training Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) on Kiumba Beach on Kenya's Rusinga Island, the objectives with this PRA were as follows: (a) To identify and understand Ihale's community-based organizations and institutions which have a role in the lake's fishery. (b) To consider the key issues which arise from this study for the involvement of communities and community-based organizations and/or institutions such as those at Ihale Beach, in the co-management of Lake Victoria's fishery.

Nada além da verdade? a consolidação do direito à verdade e seu exercício por comissões e tribunais

O trabalho expõe a consolidação do direito à verdade pelo Direito Internacional e a complementaridade entre as comissões da verdade e os tribunais, mecanismos de justiça de transição, como a combinação que melhor lhe confere aplicabilidade. Primeiramente, a tese reivindica que a transição e a consolidação democrática devem se dar por meio da prestação de contas com o passado, o que se torna possível na medida em que se promoveram a partir da 2a Guerra Mundial significativas alterações no Direito Internacional, que se afasta do paradigma vesfaliano de soberania. Aborda-se assim o excepcional desenvolvimento do Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos, do Direito Internacional Humanitário e do Direito Penal Internacional, centralizados na ideia de responsabilidade. A tese também abrange o desenvolvimento do direito à verdade no seio da Organização das Nações Unidas e dos sistemas regionais de proteção de direitos humanos, tendo alcançado o status de norma imperativa ou peremptória, sendo explorados os obstáculos ao seu exercício como no caso de anistias e outras medidas similiares como a prescrição, a justiça militar e a coisa julgada. Enfrentam-se, ainda, as potencialidades e limites da verdade que resulta de comissões da verdade e dos tribunais, concebida esta como conhecimento sobre os fatos e o reconhecimento da responsabilidade pelo ocorrido. O trabalho aborda temas como a independência e imparcialidade das comissões de verdade, seus poderes e o alcance de suas conclusões e recomendações. Por sua vez, com vistas a identificar as verdades a serem alcançadas pelos tribunais, privilegia-se o processo criminal, por se entender que a sentença penal pressupõe o exercício mais completo do devido processo. A imperatividade do direito à verdade é também demonstrada pela defesa da participação da vítima no processo criminal e da admissão de culpa por parte do acusado -- ambos consagrados pelo Tratado de Roma. Por fim, a tese analisa alguns cenários para a complementaridade entre estes dois mecanismos de justiça de transição, fazendo o estudo dos casos do Chile, Peru, Serra Leoa e Quênia, casos estes permeados pelo Direito Internacional, seja pela influência da jurisdição universal ou pelo impacto da jurisdição internacional. O caso brasileiro, por certo, não se ajusta a nenhum destes cenários. Sua caracterização como um diálogo em aberto, para efeitos deste trabalho, pressupõe que o Brasil encontra-se em um importante momento de decisão sobre a complementaridade entre comissões da verdade e tribunais - a recente aprovação da Comissão Nacional da Verdade deve conviver com o aparente conflito entre a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal, que afirmou a constitucionalidade da Lei de Anistia de 1979, e a decisão da Corte Interamericana no caso Araguaia, que entende nulos os dispositivos da lei que obstaculizam o processamento dos responsáveis, ambas no ano de 2010 - com a oportunidade de demonstrar que a passagem do tempo não arrefece as obrigações a que se comprometeu no cenário internacional.

Genetic enhancement and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa

There is a pressing need to enhance fish production in Africa through improved farm management and the use of improved fish breeds and/or alien species in aquaculture while at the same time conserve the aquatic genetic diversity. This paper presents the outcome of the Expert Consultation on Biosafety and Environmental Impact of Genetic Enhancement and Introduction of Improved Tilapia Strains/Alien Species in Africa held in Nairobi, Kenya on 20-23 February 2002. The main topics discussed were status of aquaculture in Africa and the role of genetic enhancement; potential benefits and risks involved in introduction of genetically improved strains and/or alien species with specific reference to tilapias; existing policies and legislation for the conservation of biodiversity, their strengths and weaknesses; capacity for undertaking genetic enhancement research and implementation of policies for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.

Estudo da ancestralidade paterna em amostras de populações do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e do Oeste Africano: uma dinâmica populacional

O uso de marcadores do tipo STR e SNP tem se revelado de grande importância na discriminação entre indivíduos de uma mesma população, assim como para estudos evolutivos. A utilização de um conjunto de 17 STRs e 46 SNPs específicos de cromossomo Y permitiu a caracterização de um conjunto de amostras representativas das populações do Rio de Janeiro e do oeste africano, com uma avaliação mais ampla sobre a ancestralidade de origem paterna. Na primeira parte deste estudo foram analisados 605 indivíduos do sexo masculino do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Como resultado, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as populações do sudeste e do Rio de Janeiro, que apresentou uma alta diversidade de haplótipos (0,9999 0,0001) e de haplogrupos (0,7589 0,0171). A comparação da população miscigenada do Rio de Janeiro com diferentes grupos étnicos ou populacionais mostrou que a frequência de indivíduos com marcadores tipicamente Europeus é de 77%, africanos é de 14,87% e em ameríndios é de 2,31%. A segunda parte do estudo revelou uma grande diversidade haplotípica (1,0000 0,0018) numa amostra do Oeste africano. Quanto ao valor da diversidade de haplogrupos (0,6895 0,0200), este foi similar aos observados em populações de origem Bantu do oeste e centro africanos, principalmente de Benin, Nigéria e Costa do Marfim. A terceira parte deste estudo mostrou que não existem diferenças significativas entre o componente africano da amostra do Rio de Janeiro e as populações africanas do sudeste, oeste e centro oeste. Por outro lado, observamos diferenças significativas quando comparamos o componente africano do Rio de Janeiro e o oeste africano com populações de Uganda, Quênia e África do Sul. A ampliação de estudos genéticos nas populações da África se fazem necessários para o entendimento da diversidade genética no mundo. Este trabalho contribuiu para fornecer mais alguns dados genéticos, que podem ser somados aos estudos mundiais que estão sendo realizados, ampliando os nossos conhecimentos sobre a formação das populações que também foram influenciadas pelo fenômeno da Diáspora Africana.

Annual report for Lake Kyoga fisheries 1975

The District Administrations also received revenue on the licences issued to fish mongers. The amounts are unknown as they have not provided figures. The fish marketing aspect experienced a lot of problems especially night transport charges arising out of expensive repair parts for vehicle owners. This night transport charges were eventually passed on to the fish mongers then to the consumers. There was a night trend of fish being marketed at Tororo, Busia and the nearby towns of Kenya/Uganda boarder in order to barter for essential commodities across the board by the specific license holders.

East African Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization Annual Report 1967

Throughout the year the Fisheries Departments of Tanzania and Uganda continued to forward to EAFFRO data on the commercial fisheries of the lake. Regular records of commercial fishing activity In Kenya waters have not been received, appropriate information has been made available on request from the Chief Fisheries Officer. None of the research staff at EAFFRO have been assigned to a detail ed survey of the statistica1 data available, although severa1 research officers have taken the opportunity of analysing the data appropriate to their own research programmes. As recorded in the last Annual Report, an important feature of the UNDP Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project will be to undertake the relevant statistical surveys essential to the proper.

A survey of research and scientific services in East Africa, 1947-56

This "Survey of Research and Scientific Services in East Arica 1947-1956" has been prepared by Dr. E. B. Worthington, who held the post of Scientific Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary to the East African Governor's Conference and subsequently in the Administrator's Office of the East Mrica High Commission during the period January, 1947-May, 1951. Dr. Worthington is now Secretary General of the Scientific Council for, Arica South of the Sahara

Annual Report of the East African Agricultural and Fisheries Research Council, 1961

In June, 1961, discussions were held in London to consider the future of the East Africa High Commission Services. It was agreed that the functions of the East Africa High Commission, with the exception of Defence, should be transfered to the East African Common Services Organization, which was subsequently established on 9th December, 1961, on the achievement of independence by Tanganyika. The Common Services Organization is controlled by an Authority, consisting of the principal elected Minister in each of the East African territories, which is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the Organization. The Authority is assisted by four Ministerial Committees, of which one is responsible for the Social and Research Services of the Organization

East African Fisheries Research Organization Annual Report 1955/1956

This report covers the period 1st July, 1955, to 30th June, 1956. As printing has been delayed for various reasons, reference should be made to certain important proposals put forward since the 30th June. Just after the close of the year a meeting of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Board was held at Entebbe on 26th July. At this meeting disagreement arose between the representatives of the three East African Governments on the subject of whether or not existing restrictions on fishing in Lake Victoria should be retained. This organization holds strongly to the view that the existing restrictions on fishing should be retained, Kenya holds similar views, but Uganda and Tanganyika were in favour of a proposal to lift these restrictions. This question was discussed a month earlier by the Director with the Colonial Office Fisheries Advisory Committee and they also advised the Lake Victoria Fisheries Board against lifting the restrictions.

East African Freshwater Fishery Research Organization Annual Report 1961

The Annual report presents Scientific work carried out during the report year 1961 under the following: Scientific Work of the Organization Fisheries of Lake Victoria Commercial records Population analysis Rational exploitation Other species of Tilapia Small mesh gill net fisheries Bagrus docmac Investigation Lates Investigation Breeding studies on T. zillii & T. nigra The culture of Tilapia in ponds Migration of River Fish Hydrology and Algology Gear Research Buoy releases Vertical gill nets and lastly publications.

East African Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization Annual Report 1965

Throughout the year the Fisheries Departments of Tanzania and Uganda continued to forward to EAFFRO data on the commercial fisheries of Lake Victoria, particularly statistics of fishing-effort and fish-landings. The Kenya Fisheries Department was re-established at Kisumu towards the end of 1964 and has expanded its activities during 1965; whilst regular records of commercial fishing activity have not been despatched to Jinja, appropriate information has been made available on request from the Chief Fisheries Officer. None of the existing research officers at EAFFRO have been assigned to a detailed survey of the statistical data available, although several officers have taken the opportunity of analysing the data regarding the species considered under their own research programmes. As recorded in the last Annual Report, one important function of the UNDP Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project will be to undertake the relevant statistical surveys essential to the proper management of the commercial fisheries of Lake Victoria. The level of the lake remained abnormally high but fluctuated somewhat during the year, reaching a maximum in May, but falling to a minimum in October before beginning to rise again with the rains at the end of the twelve-month period. The maximum figure for the year recorded at Jinja: 12.92 ft. above datum did not reach the peak recorded in 1964: 13.33 ft. above datum, which was the maximum reading taken since records were begun in 1899. Scientific work carried out by the organization during the year 1965 included work on the following: Commercial fisheries of Lake Victoria Nile Perch investigations Fisheries surveys in Kenya and Tanzania Studies on anadromous fishes Studies on mormyrid fishes Studies on Tilapia species Studies on Alestes Studies on Haplochromis species