Lake Victoria fisheries project unveiled
MWANZA: TANZANIA and Japan have launched a five-year research programme to improve the management of Lake Victoria fisheries, helping protect fish stocks and biodiversity in a lake that sustains thousands of fishing households.
The project, implemented by the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) in partnership with the Institute of Science Tokyo, is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS).
It will use advanced DNAbased techniques, including environmental DNA (eDNA), alongside conventional fish stock assessments to strengthen scientific monitoring of the lake’s biodiversity and fish populations.
The initiative seeks to improve scientific monitoring of fish populations while providing policymakers with more reliable data to support conservation and sustainable harvesting.
According to the Fisheries Sector Master Plan (2021/22– 2036/37), the fisheries sector contributes about 1.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), provides around 30 per cent of the country’s animal protein and supports thousands of jobs in fishing, processing and trade.
The industry also earns valuable foreign exchange through exports, with Nile perch from Lake Victoria remaining Tanzania’s leading fisheries export.
Speaking in Dodoma, TAFIRI Director of Research Development and Coordination, Dr Mary Kishe, said the project would establish a communitybased fisheries management framework known as the Mwanza Model.
The model will integrate genomic technologies, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, conventional fish stock assessments and local community knowledge to generate more accurate scientific information on fish populations and ecosystem health.
“The project will develop new scientific tools for monitoring fish populations, enabling researchers to better understand changes in native fish species and improve conservation and fisheries management,” Dr Kishe said.
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Researchers expect the technologies to identify key breeding and feeding habitats, enabling authorities to strengthen conservation measures while maintaining sustainable fish production. Improved monitoring is also expected to provide earlier warning of ecological changes affecting commercially important fish species.
The programme targets some of the sector’s biggest challenges, including sustainable management of Nile perch stocks, conservation of indigenous fish species and protection of prey fish that play a critical role in maintaining Lake Victoria’s ecological balance.
Scientists involved in the project said climate variability, environmental degradation and growing demand for fisheries resources have increased pressure on the lake, underscoring the need for reliable scientific data to support long-term management.
Dr Misuto Aibara of the Institute of Science Tokyo described Lake Victoria as one of Africa’s most economically significant freshwater ecosystems because of its role in food security, employment and regional fish trade.
“The lake’s ecological conditions continue to change, making it increasingly important to establish a robust scientific monitoring system capable of tracking biodiversity and fish stocks to ensure their sustainable use,” he said.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries said the programme will also include ecological monitoring of biodiversity, fish stocks and breeding habitats, specialised training for TAFIRI researchers in Japan and laboratory equipment to strengthen Tanzania’s fisheries research capacity.
Officials said the investment is expected to enhance scientific expertise and institutional capacity while supporting evidence-based policies to safeguard one of East Africa’s most valuable natural resources.
