The Fishes and Fisheries of the Victoria and Kyoga Lake Basins

Most fish in Uganda comes from lakes Victoria, Albert, Kyoga, Edward, George, about 160 minor lakes and rivers. Fish production of most lakes in Uganda has changed considerably since development of most of the fisheries started during the first half of the 20th century. Analysis of the changes that have taken place in these fisheries provides useful information on the potential and management issues associated with fisheries in Uganda. Total national fish catch statistics are not available for the period prior to 1960. The trends in total fish production from the different water bodies between 1961 and 1995 are illustrated in Figure 3. Total fish catches were 60,000 to 71,000 metric tonnes between 1961 and 1965 and increased after 1965 reaching a peak of 245,000 metric tonnes in 1990. The increase from 1965 to the late 1970s followed establishment of introduced Nile perch and Tilapiines to Lake Kyoga which reached a peak in 1978 and then declined. The second peak followed establishment of the same introduced species in Lake Victoria. This too peaked in 1990 after which catches declined. During I970s, most of the fish came from Lake Kyoga while during the 1980s it was from Lake Victoria. Although the above trend shows an increase in total fish catches, historical trends in fisheries have been of decreasing catches especially of more desirable species. This impression can only be appreciated through examination of historical changes in individual fish production systems. The trend in total catches from major water bodies is illustrated in Figure 4. A brief analysis of the fish stocks and fish production from the different water and the efforts to manage the fisheries of the major lakes is given.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Ogutu-Ohwayo, R., Wandera, S.B.
Format:	book_section biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) 2000
Subjects:	Biology, Ecology, Fisheries,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/35226
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