The status of research on Lake Victoria fisheries: Historical and current data on fisheries and the lake environment
Publication Date
2019Author
Dan Mungai, Nicholas Outa, Paul Obama, Fredrick Ondemo, Erick Ogello
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract/ Overview
Lake Victoria which is the second largest freshwater lake in the world supports a large
population living around it through provision of food; fish and employment; both directly and
indirectly. Due to its varied uses, human intervention within the lake and its catchment has
caused several ecological changes in the recent years which have had profound effects on its
resources. Historical and recent data within the lake show an enormous change in the
diversity of the fish species as well as environmental and ecological changes. Some of the
reasons cited for the changes in biodiversity within the lake are: the introduction of alien fish
species like Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) into the lake,
habitat loss and the cultural eutrophication. Several research projects like Lake Victoria
Management programme (LVEMP) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) have
been formed to help address some of these problems with varied levels of success. There is
therefore an urgent need for management measures based on sound scientific research to be
taken in order to curb this loss of ichthyodiversity within the lake and to save the livelihoods
of the people who are dependent on the lake. Owing to the importance of the lake to the
livelihoods of the people around the lake and beyond, there is need for concerted effort by all
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stakeholders in trying to halt the degradation and other negative environmental and ecological
changes within the lake. Ecosystem approach to conservation is the way forward in the
management and sustainable utilization of the fisheries and other resources within the lake.