Rebounding Nile perch linked to Lake Victoria conservation effort

The FAO estimates that stocks of Nile perch fell by a startling 80 per cent between 1998 and 2008.

But several years of enforcement of conservation policies jointly implemented by the three countries sharing the lake are beginning to show positive results.

Authorities in all three countries have cracked down on excessive fishing and inappropriate fishing methods including the use of net mesh sizes that catch juvenile fish, thus jeopardising reproduction of stocks. Fishing without a licence is also being curtailed.

And following a mid-July meeting in Kampala, further measures will be introduced.

For example, fishing crews will soon have to pay rent on the section of the beach that they operate from; the intent is to reduce the total numbers of boats going out onto the water.

The latest figures released by the LVFO indicate positive results, with a growth in the number of fish.

The organisation shows stocks rebounding from a low of 340,000 tonnes in 2008 to 400,000 today.

This is still far from the 750,000 tonnes recorded as recently as 2005, but in light of the steep crash in stocks, the reversal is promising, says John Magufuli, the minister of fisheries for Tanzania.

“Zero tolerance is applied in Kenya and Tanzania against excessive fishing and inappropriate fishing methods, especially the size of the mesh. I am convinced that in the next six months, stocks will continue to grow.”

But as the resource recovers, another problem is on the horizon for the communities whose livelihoods depend on exports of Nile perch: rapidly growing aquaculture of cod in several European countries, which reduces demand for exports of the Lake Victoria fish.

The LVFO reports that total exports fell by 40 per cent between 1999 and 2009.

Nile perch from East Africa first gained a foothold in European markets due to shortages of cod in the 1990s.

But Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Norway are all presently enjoying great success in farming cod.

“We too have to become good at aquaculture,” say Wilson Mwanja, the Ugandan commissioner for fisheries. “The stocks of Nile perch are shrinking for lack of good management.”