DODOMA: A NEWLY identified invasive aquatic weed, Salvinia spp, has begun wreaking havoc in Lake Victoria, damaging ferry engines and posing a serious threat to the region’s thriving cage fish farming investments.
The weed was first detected in August 2024, but its adverse effects became evident in February 2025.
Speaking in Dodoma on Monday to explain achievement made during the four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) Director General, Dr Immaculate Semesi revealed that authorities, under the guidance of the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), along with regional and district commissioners from Lake Victoria’s surrounding regions, have commenced highlevel discussions to address the issue.
“Unfortunately, in August last year, this new aquatic weed invaded the lake, spreading rapidly. Its effects began to emerge in February this year,” said Dr Semesi.
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She further stated that authorities had already convened meetings, including one, which took place two weeks ago led by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office.
The meeting brought together officials from 12 sectors, including the Basin Authority, Local Government Authorities and institutions responsible for livestock and fisheries.
“We are devising strategies to ensure the lake remains clean and safe. The immediate action we are taking is harvesting the weed in collaboration with local fishermen,” Dr Semesi noted.
The weed multiplies rapidly, doubling or tripling in just four days, significantly worsening the situation in Lake Victoria.
Recently, the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Cyprian Luhemeja, warned that the rapid spread of the weed could jeopardise the cage fish farming industry, launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He attributed the uncontrolled growth to high levels of pollution entering the lake.
