Status report on Lake Victoria frame surveys for 2000, 2002 and 2004-Uganda

Abstract

Lake Victoria is economically very important to the East African Partner States. The fishery has undergone major transformations since fish catches increased following establishment of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and emerging of fish processing plants, which export fish. Fishing pressure on the lake increased rapidly creating fears that the fishery may not be sustainable. Frame Surveys have been carried out on Uganda part of the lake since 1971. Thereafter, subsequent surveys of the Lake Victoria have been carried out biannually since 2000 to determine the number of fishers and fish landing sites, facilities at the landing sites, the types, numbers and sizes of fishing crafts and their mode of propulsion, the number, types and sizes of fishing gears and the fish species targeted to provide information to guide development and management of the fishery. The surveys show that: the number of fishers and fish landing sites did not change significantly between 2000, 2002 and 2004 on the lake; there were inadequate facilities at the fish landing sites. The total number of gillnets increased from 297,663 in 2000 to 427,488 in 2002 to 458,597 in 2004 suggesting an increase in fishing effort. The number of fishers using outboard engines increased from 2,031 in 2000 to 3250 in 2002 and 3173 in 2004 suggesting that fishers had to go far in search of fish. Uganda has made tremendous strides in improving facilities at fish landing sites to meet fish quality requirements and curb illegal fishing gears. Illegal gears, especially beach seines and gill nets of mesh sizes less than 5 inches were the main target for monitoring and control surveillance. Facilities and all-weather road access to fish landing sites continue to be improved