Govt moves to control water hyacinth in Lake Victoria

DODOMA: THE government has taken various measures to control the increasing water hyacinth, in Lake Victoria, including preparing and implementing the National Strategy and Action Plan for Invasive Species for the years 2019-2029.

Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment) Khamis Hamza Khamis informed the National Assembly here yesterday while responding to basic question by Geita Urban MP Constatine Kanyasu (CCM) who wanted to know if the government is aware of the increasing water hyacinth in Lake Victoria, its impacts and plans to control them.

He said that the government is aware of the invasive species in Lake Victoria, which are causing environmental, economic and social impacts, including: a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, which inhibits the circulation of air and sunlight.

“This leads to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms, the destruction of ecological systems and biodiversity in Lake Victoria, affecting fish breeding areas, fishing activities and transportation,” he said.

The deputy minister noted that the strategy prepared by the government provides guidelines on how to prevent the growth and spread of invasive species and offers sustainable plans to address both existing and potential future invasive species.

He said that the government also provides education and capacity-building for the communities living around the lake on how to volunteer in activities aimed at eradicating and preventing the spread of water hyacinth as they appear in the lake, including uprooting, drying and burning the weeds; and continuing to conduct various research to control the damage to the ecological systems of Lake Victoria.

The influx of invasive species, such as the water hyacinth, has also affected fish habitats and reduced fish yields.

Water hyacinth is a fast-growing aquatic plant native, according to various experts, once in the lake, the plant found ideal conditions for growth abundant sunlight, warm temperatures and nutrient-rich waters.

The plant quickly multiplied, forming thick mats that cover large areas of the lake’s surface.

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By the early 1990s, water hyacinth had become a major issue for Lake Victoria, spreading over thousands of hectares. According to the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP), the weed covered approximately 20,000 hectares at its peak in the late 1990s, although ongoing efforts have reduced its coverage to varying extents over the years.

One of the most immediate impacts of the water hyacinth on Lake Victoria’s fishing industry is the physical obstruction it causes.

The dense mats of hyacinth block access to fishing grounds, making it difficult for fishermen to reach open water. However, in some areas, entire bays and landing sites have been rendered inaccessible, forcing fishermen to travel longer distances or abandon their livelihoods altogether.

According to a 2020 report by LVFO, the presence of water hyacinth has reduced fishing efforts by up to 30 per cent in affected areas, significantly cutting into the income of local communities.