Nearshore fish resources and fisheries around Kigoma, eastern coast of Lake Tanganyika

The fish habitats along an inshore water stretch along the eastern/central coast of Lake Tanganyika are discussed and a quantitative analysis of the species composition, distribution and abundance of the littoral fishes within the area of study is presented. Seventy-one species of fish belonging to 48 genera and to 15 fish families were collected and identified during the study. The majority of species belonged to the Cichlidae family. Intensive beach seining for clupeids is suggested as one of the causes of low fish biomass in the area surveyed. The areas south of Kigoma appeared to contain more fish, with average catch rates of 11.7 kg/haul than those north of Kigoma where average catch rates of 7.6 kg/haul were recorded. Some suggestions for improved management of these resources are given.

Chemical, microbiological and sensory examinations of dried Lake Tanganyika sardine presently marketed in Zambia

Proximate composition, PH, total aerabic counts, coliform counts, appearance and taste of dried Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae) sampled at Lusaka markets were analysed for the period July 1969 to February 1970. Water content for the dried sardine varied between 7 and l4% and oil content between 8 and 14% according to season. Flavour of the cooked sardine was scored as good to fair, which discredits the common belief that is poor in quality. Cooked fish scores correlated poorly to the oil content and bacterial counts of the dried fish.

Nutritive value of fish of Lake Tanganyika [part] I: Amino acid composition

The amino acid composition was determined of three economic important fish species of Lake Tanganyika, representing 95% of the tolal catch:Stolothrissa tanganicae Regan, Limnothrissa miodon Boulenger and Luciolates stapersii Boulenger. The analysis of the whole sun dried fish indicate that, compared with Tilapia macrochir, beef and the whole hen's egg, the fish is of a very high nutritive value. The free amino acids in the dried fish count for an average of 11 %, indicating the degree of auteolysis.

Evaluations of the pelagic resources in the Burundi waters of Lake Tanganyika and the evolution of the fisheries

The important pelagic fishery resources of northern Lake Tanganyika were identified after a preliminary scientific evaluation, and in Burundi, with governmental assistance they were rapidly developed and exploited more intensively until overfishing was thought to have occurred. At this point, legal measures were introduced in order to protect the resource by restricting fishing effort and maintaining the total yield near the apparent maximum sustained limit. Complementary biological research on the fish stocks did not accompany the rapid fishery development and now an intensive stock assessment programme has been launched by the Government and UNDP in order to define more precisely the available fish stocks and to consider, with the co-operation of the neighbouring lacustrine states, suitable ways of ensuring optimum levels of fish harvest from year to year.

Retail prices of split, smoked, dried bream and dried Lake Tanganyika sardines at Lusaka markets, 1968-1970

This paper reports the results of a retail price survey at Lusaka markets on split, smoked, dried bream (Tilapia spp.) in 1968-69 and dried Lake Tanganyika sardines (Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanangicae) in 1969-70. During the survey periods the average prices of these products maintained a level 70% to 130% higher than those fixed by the Government. Price fluctuations in relation to season, size and quality of the products were discussed. The prices were affected by season and size of the products but not by quality in terms of appearance and smell of the non-cooked products.

Developpement de la peche artisanale dans les eaux Burundaises du Lac Tanganyika

A light fishery for "Ndagala" (Strolothrissa tanganicae) has been practised for many years on Lake Tanganyika. Initially this had a low catch rate, but has since been developed by the introduction of an artisanal fishery unit based on the catamaran. A unit consists of a pair of metal canoes joined together. The fish are attracted by three lights mounted on the structure, and are caught with a pyramid-shaped lift net. Selected beaches have been reserved for the artisanal fishery and the numher of units operating has increased from 12 in 1957 to 538 in 1972. The mean annual catch per unit is 11,000 kg, which is not sufficient for the fishery to be economic. However, prediction of a possible mean catch as high as 40 tons year encouraged the Burundi Government to launch a project with help from the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. This was designed to develop the fishery by the creation of artisanal fishing centres, and to make available a large number of fully equipped catamarans which could be paid for by a system of hire-purchase. The success of the project has illustrated that the furnishing of adequate equipment can bring about a transformation of the traditional fishery.

Nutritive value of fishes of Lake Tanganyika: II. Mineral composition

The composition of the minerals in three economically important fish species of Lake Tanganyika was determined. From the analyses there does not appear to be significant difference in the composition for the three species. Beside the major elements: Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Cl, Fe, Al and Zn, eighteen trace elements were determined. The presence of the bones in the fish is especially nutritionally important for the following elements: Ca, P, Br, Sr, Mn and Mg.

Aspects of the biology of the Lake Tanganyika sardine, Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger), in Lake Kariba

Juveniles of limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger) were introduced into the man-made Lake Kariba in 1967-1968. Thirty months of night-fishing for this species from Sinazongwe, near the centre of the Kariba North bank, from 1971 to 1974 are described. Biological studies were carried out on samples of the catch during most of these months. Limnological studies were carried out over a period of four months in 1973. Limnothrissa is breeding successfully and its number have greatly increased. It has reached an equilibrium level of population size at a lower density than that of Lake Tanganyika sardines, but nevertheless is an important factor in the ecology of Lake Kariba. The growth rate, size at maturity and maximum size are all less than those of Lake Tanganyika Limnothrissa. A marked disruption in the orderly progression of length frequency modes occurs in September, for which the present body of evidence cannot supply an explanation.

Late Holocene linkages between decade-century scale climate variability and productivity at Lake Tanganyika, Africa

Microlaminated sediment cores from the Kalya slope region of Lake Tanganyika provide a near-annually resolved paleoclimate record between similar to 2,840 and 1,420 cal. yr B.P. demonstrating strong linkages between climate variability and lacustrine productivity. Laminae couplets comprise dark, terrigenous-dominated half couplets, interpreted as low density underflows deposited from riverine sources during the rainy season, alternating with light, planktonic diatomaceous ooze, with little terrigenous component, interpreted as windy/dry season deposits. Laminated portions of the studied cores consist of conspicuous dark and light colored bundles of laminae couplets. Light and dark bundles alternate at decadal time scales. Within dark bundles, both light and dark half couplets are significantly thinner than within light bundles, implying slower sediment accumulation rates during both seasons over those intervals.