Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the source of the Nile (son) cage fish farm for quarter 4: October-December 2014

Source of the Nile (SON) Cage Fish farm is located at Bugungu in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, near the headwaters of the River Nile. NaFIRRI has, through a Public-Private collaborative partnership with SON management, undertaken regular monitoring of the cage fish farm since 2011. The objective of the environment monitoring is to track possible environment changes as a result of fish cage operations in the area. The agreed study areas cover selected physical-chemical parameters i.e. water depth, transparency, column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; nutrient status; biological parameters i.e. algae, zooplankton, macro-benthos and fish communities. The fourth quarter survey which is the subject of this report was undertaken during November 2014. Results/observations made are presented in this technical report along with a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and aquatic biota.