1. The Fifth Session of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria was held from 12 to 14 September 1989, in Mwanza, Tanzania.
2. The Session was attended by representatives of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Observers from the European Economic Community (EEC); East African Development Bank (EADB), Haplochromis Ecology Survey Team (HEST), the Netherlands were also in attendance. The list of Delegates and Observers is given in Appendix B of the report.
3. The Session was opened by His Excellency, the Honourable T.B.M. Shindika (MP), the Regional Commissioner for Mwanza. He emphasized the importance of Lake Victoria to the Riparian States; the role of international collaboration in rational management of the shared resources of the lake; and expressed a strong wish that the Sub-Committee discuss and produce practical recommendations on introduction of new species, pollution hazards, harmonization of regulations and problems of illegal fish trade around the lake.
4. Dr R.L. Welcomme welcomed the participants on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Dr E. Saouma, and the Assistant Director-General (Fisheries Department), Dr A. Lindquist.
5. Mr W.A.M. Sichone, Director of Fisheries (Tanzania) and Dr Orach-Meza, Deputy Commissioner for Fisheries (Uganda) were elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively.
6. The Annotated Agenda and Timetable were adopted as attached in Appendix A. The documents presented to the Session are shown in Appendix C.
Composition of the Catch and Trends
7. The three member countries present at the meeting reported very similar trends in their fisheries as determined from catch records and in the composition of the fish stock as determined by experimental fishing (see Appendix D 1 – 3). The papers presented by delegates and research findings of HEST confirmed similar trends concerning changes in stocks and fishing patterns. These were:
continued increase in overall abundance of Lates and Oreochromis niloticus in commercial catches;
tendency for temporary local reduction in abundance of Lates stocks in shallow waters around the lake;
reappearance of haplochromines and other species in areas where Nile perch has been reduced;
decline in size of Nile perch caught and corresponding reductions in the mesh sizes of nets used in the fishery from 8 to 6 inches;
increase in abundance and the average size of Oreochromis niloticus landed, and
increase in catch of Rastrineobola around the lake.
8. Kenya recorded the isolated appearance of black bass, Micropterus salmonides around the mouth of the Sondo-Miriu River. This fish had been introduced into dams in the river basin and had been washed into the lake by flood flows. It was emphasized that every effort should be made to determine whether or not this species should be established and if so to monitor its spread throughout the lake.
9. Tanzania remarked on the high level of post-harvest losses particularly for Nile perch; upto 25 percent, because of marketing, distribution and fish processing difficulties.
10. Uganda reported that plans were underway to lift the ban on night fishing in the Ugandan waters of the lake. This is expected to encourage fishing for Rastrineobola.
11. Following a recommendation of the Fourth Session of the Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria, a joint HEST/TAFIRI/FAO/DANIDA Seminar on fish stocks and fisheries of Lake Victoria was held at TAFIRI, Mwanza from 9 January to February 1989.
12. The Fifth Session of the Sub-Committee examined and discussed the results, conclusions and recommendations of the report, which are given in Appendix E, and expressed great appreciation to HEST/TAFIRI/FAO/DANIDA for the valuable knowledge and information obtained from this seminar.
13. The seminar was an excellent opportunity for the fishery biologists of the three riparian countries to meet each other and to discuss biological and management aspects of lake fisheries.
14. Major emphasis was put on the collection, analysis and handling of catch and effort data. It was felt that fisheries biologists should pay more attention to trends in fisheries.
15. The important role of the Fisheries Research Institute in the flow of information from fishing villages and fish landing sites to the Director of Fisheries was stressed.
16. Fisheries management was discussed as a decision-making process based on trends in the catch, fishing effort, species composition and size structure of the catch. Fisheries biologists should get more involved in the formulation of possible management measures.
17. The major conclusion was that an annual meeting of the fisheries biologists of the three riparian countries should be held to discuss the state of the fish stocks on the basis of updated datasets collected by the countries in a standardized way. This is a prerequisite for a rational management of the Lake Victoria fisheries by the Riparian States.
Strengthening Fisheries Statistics Unit (URT/87/016) Tanzania
18. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has established this project in the Fisheries Division under the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism. The main objective of the project is to upgrade the current statistics information system through various survey systems in order to generate more reliable data for the formulation of viable fisheries development and management plans. This project is also intended to upgrade the manpower skill through training programmes.
Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (UGA/87/007) Uganda
19. Under the framework of this project the Uganda Fisheries Department should fulfil the following objectives:
Strengthen the capability of the statistics unit in information systems and fisheries statistics and in the formulation of programmes for the rational exploitation of fisheries resources of the lake through:
rehabilitation and improvement of a permanent fisheries monitoring system, especially with regard to the systematic collection, processing and analysis of fishing effort/catch - price data at beach level and of fish supply and price data at market level;
creation of a complementary information base needed for planning and programme implementation, with emphasis on socio-economic aspects of fisheries industry of Lake Victoria, and on fish trade and marketing at the national level;
upgrading of skills in fisheries statistics, economics planning, development and management, fish marketing and data processing and survey designs.
Formulation of specific fisheries development and management plans for the Uganda sector of Lake Victoria.
FAO Regional Project RAF/87/099
20. The project for Inland Fisheries Planning, Development and Management in Eastern/Central/Southern Africa (IFIP) has four main objectives:
the establishment and operationalization of effective sub-regional mechanisms for technical and economic collaboration between participating countries for the management and development of shared fisheries resources;
the provision of advisory services in the area of development planning;
the improvement of technical capabilities through training in management and development planning, and
the establishment of a regional information base.
21. The IFIP project is being financed by UNDP for an initial phase of four years. It became operational in January 1989 with headquarters in Bujumbura, Burundi. The project covers a wide area including all major shared lakes of the Rift Valley including Lake Victoria. For Lake Victoria in particular, short-term activities will focus on the organization of two related seminars in 1990: one addressing socio-economic aspects of the fisheries industry in all three countries, and the other addressing management issues.
22. The document on socio-economic issues for planning in support of fisheries management, Appendix F, was summarized by the Secretariat. For Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the fisheries of Lake Victoria have become the main source of fish with total production now ranging from 350 000 to 400 000 t. Compared with the estimates of average production of 100 000 t observed under the pre-Nile perch regime, an average surplus production of about 150 000 t per year was caught from the lake over the last 10 years.
23. In addition to this added contribution to food and animal protein supply, very important socio-economic benefits have been derived by the industry and in terms of relatively lower consumer prices for fish. The market value of the net increase in catch since 1979 was roughly estimated at more than US$ 1 billion.
24. The radical changes which have occurred in the fisheries since the Nile perch boom may have led to some socio-economic displacement, and some people and/or sub-sectors may have benefited more than others.
25. In spite of changes which have occurred in the fisheries resources base, the sector remains fundamentally characterized by small-scale exploitation taking place in a relatively similar socio-economic framework, with little fundamental change in technology. Notable exception concern:
the profitability of fishing activities which remains very high in all sectors of the fisheries industry;
the wide expansion of the market base which is no longer limited to riparian communities and nearby urban centres;
a continuation of the trend toward more commercially oriented exploitation even if subsistence fishing/processing/marketing activities are still significant;
the development of a small industrial fishing and processing capacity which may induce localized conflicts with the interest of small-scale fisherfolks if catches are allowed to decrease very significantly.
26. Although there is still considerable uncertainty as to the state of the main stocks and of the Nile perch stock in particular, there is growing evidence that the resource base can sustain fairly high yields. Drawing from the evolution of the fisheries of Lake Kyoga and from the fact that prey stocks have increased even at high levels of predator abundance, the prospects of sustaining high production in the short term seems likely.
27. With growing evidence of the Nile perch stock becoming heavily exploited, the need for proper and effective management of the fisheries is becoming the single most important issue facing the three countries concerned.
28. The need to introduce mesh size regulation was stressed in regards to the Nile perch fishery in particular. However, it was noted that applied by themselves, mesh size regulation as well as gear restriction such as the banning of mosquito nets are bound to be ineffective. A control of fishing effort as well as of the profitability of the fisheries is also required. In addition to licencing all fishing units as a way to effectively monitor and eventually control entry into the fisheries, a number of complementary measures merit further study, which include:
avoiding further government support to the development of the gillnetting harvesting capacity;
raising registration/licence fees at both harvesting and marketing levels;
banning or discouraging further development of the trawler fleet;
exercising caution in the development of further industrial processing capacity, especially in Kenya.
29. The need to rapidly prepare an interim management plan on the basis of existing information was stressed, based on the feeling that sufficient information was available to do so. The importance of seeking the participation of all parties concerned through ample consultation and involvement of fishermen/fisherfolk in particular was also emphasized as a vital factor.
Biology and Ecology
30. The topics and priorities for research identified by the Fourth Session of the Sub-Committee (paragraph 27, FIPL/R388) were reviewed in the light of proposals made by the member countries (see Appendix D 1–3) and the HEST/TAFIRI/FAO/DANIDA seminar (see Appendix E).
31. It was noted that, while countries had proceeded with research on several of these topics, no action had been taken in implementation of others due to lack of funding. In particular the Secretariat was requested to endeavour to locate funding for the setting up of a standard reference collection of fish.
32. In re-examining the research priorities it was felt that the list established during the Fourth Session remained generally valid but that some new topics needed to be included and that priorities be assigned more carefully in view of the limited resources available for research.
33. Research topics were grouped into three general categories:
(a) General ecology: The general ecology of the lake appears to have been severely disturbed by the changes in composition of the fish community that have occurred over the last ten years. While the extent of such changes can never be known because of the lack of baseline data from the original regime of the lake, some changes can be documented. Furthermore, the need for a baseline of data on physical and chemical limnology and planktonic and benthic ecology is now pressing as a standard against which to judge the impacts of pollution and deterioration in water quality resulting from the increasing industrialization, urbanization and the intensification of agriculture in the lake basin. This area was recognized as a priority, particularly in Kenyan waters. Additional financial resources should be sought to facilitate this research.
(b) General biology: The continuation of traditional biological research on the three main food species of the lake, Lates niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus and Rastrineobola argentus together with Caridina niloticus was still needed. Studies should include general biology and population dynamics. They should also be integral and aimed at tracing trophic relations between the various species. It was recognized that there had been substantial studies on Nile perch and that the biology of the Nile tilapia was well know from other lake systems. On the other hand little was know of biology, ecology of Rastrineobola and the highest priority was assigned to this species. These studies should be carried out with existing resources supplemented where possible by donor funding yet to be located. At the same time the scheme for biological observations at the landing sites recommended by the HEST/TAFIRI/ FAO/DANIDA Seminar on Fish Stocks and Fisheries of Lake Victoria was endorsed by the Sub-Committee as follows:
in every country 3–5 major landing sites should be selected for routine observations on the composition of the catch of Lates and Rastrineobola;
routine observations per landing site encompass:
a monthly sample of 300–500 Lates from gillnet catches to be measured to the nearest centimetre below and with reference of the mesh size of the nets, e.g., an LF distribution of circa 150 Lates from 6 inch gillnets and an LF distribution of circa 250 Lates from 8 inch gillnets;
a monthly sample of 200–300 Lates from longline catches to be measured to the nearest centimetre below and with reference to hook size;
once every quarter, a sample of circa 100 Lates caught with gillnets, even distributed over the size range 50–80 cm, to be measured (to the nearest centimetre below) and weighed (to the nearest 0.01 kg) for a length-total weight relationship. The predicted weight of 65 cm Lates to be taken as an index for condition;
a monthly sample of 500 Rastrineobola, caught with mosquito nets to be measured to the nearst 0.5 cm standard length.
the results of the routine observations and their analysis should be made available to the two other riparian countries and for the annual meeting of the Lake Victoria biologists;
(c) Stock assessment: The need for an overall stock assessment of the lake was re-emphasized. As this would require considerable resources in man-power and finance, it was considered that a lake-wide assessment of stocks should form the priority activity to be executed under EEC funding.
34. It is clear that the socio-economic information base for the Lake Victoria fisheries is extremely thin. This means that there is plenty of room for misunderstanding and disagreement in the consideration of management and development issues for the lake. There is an urgent need to correct this situation by building institutional capacities for the conduct of socio-economic studies and the inclusion on a routine basis of socio-economic components in policy formulation, planning, development and management activities. While these capabilities have, in some cases, not been adequate in the past, there is certainly a growing consciousness of their importance and the necessity to forge strong linkages between biological and economic perspectives to meet the task of reconsidering and possibly revising regulations governing the management of the lake fisheries resources.
35. It was suggested that socio-economic research priorities can be deliberated according to four categories. These are noted as follows:
(a) Characterization of fishing units: There is a need to understand through surveys and general field level investigations the major types of fishing units together with their basic linkages to the processing and marketing sector. Investigations should determine details about how the various units are working, including patterns of investment, finance, the distribution of benefits, etc. FAO projects recently started in Uganda and Tanzania will include such investigations in their programme of work.
(b) Marketing activities: Survey work should focus on the structure of the marketing industry and particularly if it involves the Nile perch and the rapidly developing Rastrineobola (dagaa) fisheries. Reliable and comprehensive information is needed about the major flows of products and money, price structures and patterns of distribution and consumption. An appreciation is required of the current trends and future directions of the marketing system.
(c) Management issues:
it is of the utmost importance that bio-economic assessments be mounted in order to determine the appropriateness of existing regulations governing the fisheries of the three riparian states and the new measures that may need to be introduced in view of recent dramatic changes in the fisheries regime. Restriction and/or prohibition measures concerning mesh size and gear type, for example, need to be considered in terms of what is optimal from both an economic and biological point of view;
also in relation to the formulation of management and enforcement strategies, it is crucial that efforts be made to accommodate the attitudes of local fisherfolk. Any review of the present management framework must take local views into account. Careful attention must be given to what local communities have to propose and the ways in which they can be directly involved in management implementation. The point was stressed that the only good management plan is one that is enforceable, and that enforcebility depends very heavily on local acceptance of plan elements.
(d) Development issues:
in relation to development questions, it was suggested that priority be given to technical-economic assessment of the post-harvest sector to better determine the extent of product losses and the feasibility, from both a technological and cost-benefit standpoint;
another field for urgent technical-economic assessment is that of the Rastrineobola fishery, which has shown a very strong surge in recent years. Such assessment should be concerned with both production and post-harvest aspects of the fishery.
36. In subsequent general discussion of the above suggested research agenda, several additional points were brought out. The importance was stressed of documenting the relative distribution of benefits between operators in different sectors of the fishery (fishermen, processors, small-scale traders and large-scale commercial enterprises), along with the social impact of changes in the fisheries regime. Effects on time and energy allocation and the division of labour (women, men, children) as well as the training and recruitment of young fishing operators, versue the loss of the younger generation due to the appeal of more lucrative or prestigious employment elsewhere, were also identified as relevant research areas.
37. The point was raised that it is very difficult to collect reliable socio-economic data on fisherfolk communities unless the researcher develops good report with residents and a thorough awareness of community conditions. In this respect it is extremely important to collaborate extensively with national researchers, who are generally well-versed in local knowledge.
38. Finally, it was suggested that priority attention also need to be given to fisheries education and training. Because the level of fishing effort is determined by socio-economic variables, the local people interact extensively with field level fisheries staff, every effort should be made to disseminate knowledge of changing condition and sound management practices for the effectiveness of extension workers through in-service and specialized course staff training.
Statistics
39. The Sub-Committee considered progress on the recommendation continued in paragraph 43 of the Report of its Fourth Session with respect to a regular fisheries statistical programme.
40. The Sub-Committee was informed that the function of the proposed programme had been assumed by two naturally based projects (UGA/87/007) Uganda and (URT/87/016) Tanzania. Part of the programmes of those projects foresee collaboration to harmonize approaches for collection of statistics in the lake and for the organization of an interational seminar on those topics. However, the Sub-Committee felt that a lake-wide frame-survey to supplement national systems, was still necessary and should be repeated at intervals. It also felt that standardization of statistical criteria, the preparation of a statistical manual and species identification sheets continued to be necessary. The observer from HEST informed the Sub-Committee that the final phase of HEST will prepare a report covering a review of constraints on current system, a handbook on species identification and proposal for standardized formats for statistical collection. The Inland Fisheries Planning Project (RAF/87/099) in conjunction with the two national projects will endeavour to organize a workshop on the statistics of the lake to be attended by all member countries.
Institutional Framework
41. In discussing the future institutional framework for cooperation in management of lake fisheries the Sub-Committee confirmed the principle that a Lake Victoria Fisheries Commission be re-established to serve as the central coordination body (expressed in paragraph 49 of the the Report of the Fourth Session of the Sub-Committee) for management of the lake. It was recognized that the setting-up of a Commission would require approval at a level beyond that of the Director of Fisheries. The Sub-Committee therefore recommended that the draft term of reference for a future Lake Victoria Fisheries Commission be formulated at a consultation to be convened by project RAF/87/099, and the matter be subsequently referred to the Interministerial Committee on Regional Cooperation.
The Role of the Sub-Committee
42. Until an independent Commission is established, the continuance of the Sub-Committee as the principle intergovernmental advisory body on research and management of the fisheries of Lake Victoria was felt to be essential. It was however, recommended that the biennial session of the Sub-Committee be reinforced by a brief seminar on the progress research programme around the lake.
43. Uganda offered to host the Sixth Session of the Sub-Committee in 1991. The exact date and place of the Session will be decided by the Director-General of FAO in consultation with the Chairman and authorities of the host country.
