1. The Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) held its Second Session from 6 to 7 October 1983 in Rome, Italy. The Session was attended by representatives from the three Member Nations: Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda, and observers from the Commonwealth Secretariat. A list of delegates and observers is given in Appendix A of this report.
2. The Session was opened by Mr. G.K. Libaba, Director of Fisheries, Tanzania, Chairman of the First Session of the Sub-Committee. He welcomed the participants and drew attention to the importance of Lake Victoria fisheries in the economy of the three member states and the need for the protection and exploitation of these resources for the full benefit of these riparian states. In view of the nature of the shared resources there was an urgent need for regional cooperation in their development and management.
3. Dr. H.F. Henderson, Chief, Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service, addressed the participants on behalf of Dr. Edouard Saouma, the Director-General of FAO, and of Mr. J.E. Carroz, the Assistant Director-General (Fisheries Department). He stressed the need for increasing effective collaboration on the development and management of the fisheries of this important lake. He drew attention to the fluctuations in the level of abundance of the fishery resources of Lake Victoria. He pointed out the available choices of management strategies, which are either to attempt to stabilize these fluctuations or to capitalize fully on them. He assured the participants that the Organization would help them to achieve their aspirations.
4. Mr. N. Odero, Director of Fisheries, Kenya, and Dr. F.L. Orach-Meza, Senior Fisheries Officer, Uganda, were elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, for the Session.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION
5. The Annotated Agenda and Timetable was adopted, as attached in Appendix B. The documents presented to the Session are shown in Appendix C.
6. Under item 4(a) the Secretariat presented Document CIFA:DM/LV/83/2, which reviewed the status of fisheries in Lake Victoria.
7. It was pointed out that recent examinations of catch statistics and the descriptions of the various fishery activities on the lake indicated that there were in fact a number of fisheries which are species (or species complex) specific and which overlap relatively little with other fisheries due to differences in gear, mesh size or ecological habitat. Some conflicts between these various fisheries were, however, inevitable. The characteristics of these fisheries are summarized in Appendix D. There was some variability in the quality of the fish catch statistics available in the records of the riparian States. It was possible that some published catch figures had significant errors because of difficulties in their collection, but the absolute magnitude of catch is not vital to determining trends in the fishery. The important feature to observe is how catches of various species vary from year to year.
8. The distinction of several clearly defined fisheries with their own characteristics had important consequences for management policy, as each of the fisheries will have its own research, development and management needs. The plurality of the fisheries also offered the management options of switching between fisheries in order to conserve the “stocks” in one or more of the fisheries. In fact, the switch from the “tilapias” to Bagrus on the part of the Ugandan fishermen, because of the market value of Bagrus and the scarcity of industrially-produced small mesh gillnets, appears to have relieved fishing pressure on the “tilapias” and subsequently a recovery of the “stocks” of the tilapiine cichlids had occurred. Similarly, in Kenya, there had been a switch from the use of small mesh gillnets to large meshes of 102–305 mm because of the lower abundance of haplochromine and tilapiine cichlids and because of the greater abundance of the large-sized Nile perch.
9. It was further noted that three new fisheries have recently developed. In addition to the more traditional gillnet fisheries for “tilapias”, Bagrus, Clarias and Protopterus, a trawl fishery has been locally introduced in the Mwanza area to exploit (on a limited basis) the “stocks” of Haplochromis spp. in the deeper waters of the lake. This fishery in the Mwanza Gulf has been closely monitored by the Haplochromis Ecology Survey Team (HEST) from the Netherlands and the National Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) of Tanzania1. This monitoring already indicated that certain fishing trends exist which serve as a guide to fishing practice during the envisaged expansion of a trawl fishery throughout the lake.
Fish “stocks” appear to be of low mobility; consequently, local over-fishing is a real risk. Research in Ugandan waters carried out by the R.V. IBIS, has shown a dramatic decline in catch rates of Haplochromis as a result of trawling in a limited area for a five-year period. Already signs of an evolution of the fish community under fishing pressure exist in Tanzanian waters similar to those shown by the heavily fished Lake Malawi haplochromiine stocks, i.e. the selective disappearance of large individuals and species. The available biostatistical information indicates a very low abundance of Haplochromis in the Nyanza Gulf. This decline is being attributed to fishing and to predation by the introduced voracious Nile perch (Lates niloticus). It was recognized that recolonization of overexploited areas from other areas is a slow process, and thus fishing activities should be spread in space and time to avoid the depletion of any single fish community.
It had been demonstrated that the stocks of the sublittoral, 10–20 m sector, are characterized by seasonal breeding. It was also noted that during the rains, there was a flush of nutrients into the lake, leading to more food resources in the sublittoral zone. Concurrently there was a build-up of fat stores in fish and breeding occurred at this time. It would therefore be appropriate to establish temporary restrictions on fishing at that time. In compensation, the deep-water fish “stocks” are likely to breed later, during the dry season, and so, there would then be a need for a similar closed season for the deep-waters. In these circumstances the fishery could switch between the inshore and deep-water “stocks” according to season.
The use of very small mesh size of less than 38.1 mm (1.5 in) appeared to be highly destructive. Most Haplochromis spp. matured at a length of more than 6 cm, whereas trawls with codends of less than 38 mm mostly caught smaller immature individuals. The use of larger codend mesh sizes should thus be considered and recommended.
10. The second new fishery was that for Engraulicypris (Rastrineobola). This fishery was initiated with beach seines in both Kenyan and Tanzanian sectors of the lake, but it has since expanded in other places to include a lamp fishery with ringnets and Danish seines and has become a genuine pelagic fishery. The beach seine method calls for the concentration of fish with light in deeper waters and the drifting of the concentrated shoal to the shore where they are captured with a seine net. This is highly destructive to the young of many littoral fish species including juvenile “tilapias” and Nile perch, and so progressive substitution with true open-water fishing methods is desirable. The biology of Engraulicypris is not well known, but there are indications that a fairly large stock awaits exploitation. Engraulicypris may well be accompanied by a newly discovered Haplochromis complex of zooplankton and phytoplankton species which migrate to the surface at night and may be either exploited conjointly with Engraulicypris or separately with surface trawls. The nature of the pelagic community in the lake was in need of investigation, not only to determine its magnitude but to define specific interactions such as those between the Haplochromis flock, Engraulicypris and the predatory “pelagic” Nile perch (Lates). The shoaling Engraulicypris and Haplochromis were very vulnerable to the voracious Nile perch. On the other hand, there was also competition between Engraulicypris and Haplochromis for a common food supply (zooplankton). Certain Haplochromis spp. probably also preyed upon Engraulicypris.
11. The third new fishery was that for the predatory Nile perch (Lates) whose introduction into the lake had been proposed on the grounds that it would utilize shoals of the relatively uneconomic Haplochromis abundant throughout the lake at the time of the introduction, and thus provide biomass more appropriate for capture and consumption. Prior to 1979, the Nile perch was insignificant in the Lake Victoria fisheries, but now the available data indicate that Lates contributes more than 50 percent of the catch landed in the following lake sectors: (i) the Ugandan northern area extending from Entebbe to Majanji, (ii) the Nyanza Gulf in Kenya, and (iii) the area around Musoma in the Mara region of Tanzania. There had been a switch from the capture of small cichlids to the Nile perch, using mostly the 152–305 mm (6–12 in) gillnets and longlines. The relaxation of fishing pressure on the cichlid fishery appears to be leading to the recovery of the “tilapias” in these areas. For example, in 1976, the catch of tilapiini in the Nyanza Gulf amounted to about 1 000 t (about 5 percent of total catch) compared to about 4 300 t (7 percent of total catch in 1982). It is important to note that even with the recovery of the endemic “tilapias”, the introduced Oreochromis niloticus (= Tilapia nilotica) still dominates the “tilapia” catch.
12. The available catch statistics indicated that in the Nyanza Gulf, there was an inverse relationship between the abundance of the Nile perch and that of Haplochromis over the last five years. The perception of this is possibly the basis for the popular view that the Nile perch is overpredating on the Haplochromis. The interpretation of this relationship is however difficult without a complete understanding of other factors in the fishery, such as a possible shift from smaller to larger mesh nets; and also a better understanding of the impact of the fishery iself on the Haplochromis “stocks”.
13. In addition to these three major fisheries, a number of minor fisheries with local importance existed, for example the former gillnet fishery for Mormyrus off Dagusi Island in Uganda, a possible trawl fishery for Synodontis in the deeper waters, a fishery for Labeo in the Tanzanian sector and a seasonal fishery for Barbus, Alestes and Schilbe around river mouths.
14. The fishery resources of Lake Victoria are mainly exploited by traditional and artisanal fishermen. According to available information, about 54 000 fishermen actively fish the lake using about 11 000 boats (4 000 in Kenya, 4 000 in Tanzania and 3 000 in Uganda). The Nyanza Gulf (Kenya) with an area of about 6 000 km2 has the greatest concentration of fishermen - about 25 000, of which 20 000 are licensed. The Tanzanian sector (about 34 400 km2) has about 20 000 fishermen, whereas the Ugandan sector of the lake (about 28 400 km2) is fished by about 8 000 fishermen.
15. Most of the traditional fishing craft operate in the inshore waters (bays, gulfs and inlets) of less than 20 m depth. Hence, there was considerable pressure on the inshore fish “stocks”. Probably, there were good possibilities for deep-water fishing, but the precise magnitudes of the available deep-water resources are unclear.
16. The Sub-Committee noted that technologically and socially the Lake Victoria fisheries constituted a multiform industry with conflicting interests. Tanzania introduced modern trawling in the early 1970s. Certain useful measures had been taken to restrict trawling operations and keep trawlers from interfering with the static gears of artisanal fishermen who still lack the mechanism to protect their fishing interest; but enforcement has not been very effective. Kenya and Uganda have not yet established trawling on any significant scale but they are likely to face similar problems when they do. The traditional and artisanal fishery sector has conflicts concerned with price sharing between fishermen and middlemen. In addition there were the usual conflicts between fishermen using different fishing methods to exploit similar fishing grounds.
17. A number of aspects of Lake Victoria artisanal fisheries could be improved through appropriate fishing innovations and fish technology. The modest untapped deep-water resources however could not be harvested using the present fishing craft. Besides, there was still a need for adopting an efficient fishing method for Engraulicypris and a suitable processing technique for the particularly fat and plump Nile perch (Lates) caught in this lake.
18. The delegate of Kenya reiterated that there had been dramatic changes in species composition, catch rates and nominal catches in the Nyanza Gulf (Kenyan sector). The increase in catch of the Nile perch appeared to be proportional to the decline in catch of Haplochromis as reflected in the statistics given in Appendix E. There was adequate information on the status of the fisheries of the shallow inshore waters bounded by the 20 m depth contour. But there is a lack of information on the exploitable deep-water fish stocks beyond 20 m depth. There was an urgent need to re-activate fisheries research in the deep waters.
19. The delegate of Tanzania confirmed that Lates was available in the inshore waters of the Tanzanian sector but the catch of Haplochromis was still high as indicated by available statistics. There is apprehension on the future of the fishmeal industry utilizing Haplochromis in light of changes in abundance of Haplochromis in the Nyanza Gulf and Ugandan sector of the lake. The need for another exploratory survey of the deeper waters was highlighted.
20. The delegate of Uganda also confirmed the sudden explosion of the introduced Nile perch, the gradual decline in catch of Haplochromis and fluctuation in catches of other cichlid and non-cichlid species. The introduced Lates and Oreochromis niloticus (=Tilapia nilotica) now contribute more than 60 percent of the total catch from some Ugandan waters. The establishment of deep-water fisheries would have to depend on fresh research data to be provided by exploratory fishing in the area beyond the 20 m depth. However, the lack of suitable research equipment was a main constraint to future activities.
21. The Sub-Committee noted the growing populations of Nile perch, their suspected detrimental effects on the Haplochromis stocks and the interaction between various fisheries exploiting these two fish groups plus Engraulicypris, tilapiine cichlids, Bagrus, Clarias, Protopterus, etc. It recognized also the possible large potential for Engraulicypris as well as the need for more scientific information on this species.
22. The Sub-Committee drew certain general conclusions concerning its role on Lake Victoria. In view of dramatic changes in species composition, distribution and abundance of stocks, the primary role of the Sub-Committee would be to stimulate lake-wide fisheries research. The Sub-Committee further felt that the promotion of a unified reliable standardized fishery statistical system deserved a high priority. The ideal mechanism for these activities was cooperative research programmes between the various national fisheries institutions having research capability and capacity.
23. The Sub-Committee noted that handling, processing and marketing of fish within the region require careful attention. The lack of landing facilities and chilled transport, though compensated by the use of traditional preservation methods such as drying and smoking, is becoming gradually more visible. Changes in catch patterns, particularly the increasing amount of Nile perch, necessitates the wider use of chilling.
24. The rapidly increasing supply of Nile perch is causing marketing problems as consumers in the region are not familiar with this type of fish and do not appreciate it due to its high oil content. Work on product development should therefore be carried out in order to develop products which will suit domestic and export market requirements.
25. Firewood for fishing smoking is becoming scarce and expensive in many areas of the region. This calls for the introduction of new, more economical smoking ovens.
26. The problems of utilization of Haplochromis for direct human consumption is still unsolved and requires a substantial amount of research work followed by consumer attitude studies and the implementation of the products developed and accepted.
27. The problems in the field of fish technology can only be solved if planned and well-concerted applied research is carried out within the region. Research institutes already exist in Mwanza, Entebbe and Kisumu, but their effectiveness needs to be strengthened through the provision of adequate funding and necessary equipment and coordination of their efforts.
28. The Sub-Committee was informed that following the recommendations of the FAO Expert Consuitation on Fish Technology in Africa held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, in 1980, and in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1982, and the recommendations of the First Session of the CIFA Sub-Committee on Lake Victoria held in Mwanza, Tanzania, in 1981, FAO, using Regular Programme and extra-budgetary funds, initiated several research activities in the field of fish technology carried out jointly by all three member countries.
29. The activities concentrated on the better handling and distribution of Haplochromis, storage life studies of the most commercially important fish species, investigations of market potential in low-income areas for rolled dried fish and the evaluation of a pre-feasibility study for a canning plant in Mwanza, etc.
30. An FAO/DANIDA Training Course on Fish Technology and Quality Control for English-speaking African countries was held in Mwanza, Tanzania, in July 1983. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda also participated in this course and provided lecturers.
31. The Sub-Committee noted that the minor recovery of certain fisheries around the Lake has demonstrated the resilience of exploited stocks. It noted also however the existing gaps in knowledge on the state of some fish species and the problems of fish utilization, processing and marketing and stressed the need for intensified cooperative regional fisheries research programmes in order to obtain more scientific information necessary for a rational exploitation and management of the fisheries of Lake Victoria.
32. Under item 4(b) of the agenda, the Secretariat present document CIFA:DM/LV/83/3 “Proposed EEC/FAO regional project for the development and management of the fisheries of Lake Victoria”. It was pointed out that six major obstacles were limiting the development and management of the fisheries of the lake: (i) lack of a well-designed and regionally coordinated fishery statistical data system; (ii) lack of up-to-date information on species distribution, abundance, catch rates and yield potential in open deep waters; (iii) lack of appropriate fisheries research equipment; (iv) absence of suitable fishing materials; (v) inadequate fish handling, processing and marketing facilities; and (vi) lack of comprehensive fishery management strategy and plans (fishery legislation and regulations).
33. The Sub-Committee noted that a regional project designed to solve all these problems would require substantial amounts of funds over a long period of time. Such funds did not appear to be available at the present time. The delegates therefore agreed that, to arrive at the rational development and management of the fisheries of the lake, maximum use should be made of existing institutions in the riparian countries.
34. The Sub-Committee reiterated the views expressed at the First Session of the Sub-Committee that the maintenance and enhancement of the fishery resources of Lake Victoria required that it be treated as an ecological unit. Development and management actions taken by one country are bound to have an effect (positive or negative) on the other two countries and for this reason regional collaboration was considered essential.
35. The Sub-Committee agreed that the project proposed for EEC financing under the aegis of the CIFA Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria, will be considered as the technical support unit that would act as the core to a programme for the development and regional coordination of fishery activities in the area. As such, it would assist member governments in the identification, preparation and submission of requests for related supplementary assistance to their work on the fisheries of Lake Victoria.
36. It was felt that the following regional activities were of the highest priority for the area:
the development and implementation of a unified system for the collection, compilation and analysis of various fisheries statistics for the lake, including the training, upgrading and general technical supervision of the statistical recorders;
the undertaking and promotion of the analysis and interpretation of fisheries statistical data for assessment of the fish stocks, and for identifying alternative fishery management options;
the compilation of summary records of previous and ongoing fisheries-oriented research programmes on the lake, with the object of exchanging basic data and conclusions of work already completed, coordinating present and future research programmes, and indicating areas and activities which deserve priority attention;
the support and promotion of regular consultations at the technical and senior administrative level for the coordinated development and management of the fisheries of the lake;
the improvement of the facilities of the fish technology institutes around the lake and support coordination of their activities;
the undertaking of studies and discussions regarding the proposed harmonization of fishery legislation and regulations on a lake-wide basis.
37. The Sub-Committee gave its full support to the project outline drafted by the Secretariat and given in document CIFA:DM/LV/83/3. The members recalled the fact that all three countries had made an official request to EEC to finance it and expressed their gratitude to the Community for positive consideration of their request.
38. The Sub-Committee agreed that the draft project proposal as submitted, provides the framework for a fully detailed project document which should be completed with the assistance of consultants from EEC and FAO in close consultation with the countries concerned. The consultants should visit the countries as soon as possible so that the member countries can make the final decision concerning the location of the project headquarters and other administrative arrangements. It was also agreed that the final project document would require ratification by each country in accordance with accepted procedures.
39. An observer from the Commonwealth Secretariat informed the Sub-Committee of some of the current activities of the Secretariat in the fields of fisheries development and management. She expressed the willingness of the Secretariat to continue its collaboration with the members of the Sub-Committee in undertaking activities of mutual interest.
40. The Sub-Committee felt that the information was useful in that it strengthened its role as the fisheries coordinating body for Lake Victoria and would further assist it in identifying gaps that existed in the development coverage provided by the national governments and by the various technical assistance organizations.
41. The Sub-Committee strongly felt that the already initiated cooperative research programmes particularly in the field of fish technology financed from FAO Regular Programme funds or extra-budgetary sources should be continued.
42. The Sub-Committee considered this item on the basis of document CIFA:DM/LV/83/4, and of the additional information provided orally by the Secretariat.
43. The Sub-Committee noted that the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) had delegated it, in Lake Victoria, the same development and management responsibilities as those assigned to the Committee itself in the African region as a whole. It was an organ established by the CIFA members to assist the countries in the region to make optimal use of living aquatic resources through rational development and management of fisheries. This involves fishing and aquaculture as well as processing and marketing. This, in its view, was a further manifestation of the gradual specialization and concentration of international fishery cooperation in smaller geographic areas.
44. Particular reference was made to the terms of reference of the Committee and its functions as a coordinating body in relation to fisheries activites undertaken by the riparian States. The Sub-Committee noted that it would also in future function as the advisory body to the regional project in Lake Victoria in which all the three countries participated.
45. The Sub-Committee felt that eventually similar such coordinating bodies should be established by CIFA to cover such areas as Kagera River Basin or Lake Malawi (Nyasa) or other areas where fishery resources are shared in order to ensure rational fisheries development and management in such areas.
46. The Sub-Committee considered in some detail the various administrative and secretariat services FAO could provide to ensure the proper functioning of the Sub-Committee. It stressed that the assembling and regular dissemination of information to the members should be high priority and requested the Secretariat to initiate this task as soon as possible.
47. The Sub-Committee reiterated the necessity of establishing a technical support unit in the region or other appropriate mechanism to assist it in discharging its duties and responsibilities.
48. In view of its role in promoting and coordinating efforts on a national and regional basis in the prevention of damage to the aquatic environment, including the prevention and control of pollution, the Sub-Committee requested that documentation for the next session should include some information on the work undertaken by the Hydromet Survey of Catchment Areas of Lake Victoria.
49. The Sub-Committee emphasized the need to hold its meetings in the region on a rotational basis so that the delegates can acquaint themselves better with the progress and the constraints facing the fishing industry of Lake Victoria.
50. In the meantime, Uganda offered to host the third session of the Sub-Committee in late 1984 which was accepted with appreciation. The exact date and place of the session will be decided by the Director General of FAO in consultation with the Chairman and the authorities of the host country.
51. This report was adopted on 7 October 1983.
