Managing the fisheries of Lake Victoria is guided by the Fisheries Management Plan, produced in 2002. The plan is based on fisheries co-management, getting the fisheries communities involved in fisheries management through beach level institutions working with local and central government. Central to the plan is building an enabling policy and legal framework in the Partner States for fisheries co-management and building capacity at all levels.

The plan addresses a range of threats and challenges, but also recognises opportunities and aims to increase benefits from fisheries exploitation. The Development Objectives of plan are to:

1. Earn foreign exchange for the three governments and improve the standard of living in the riparian communities.
2. Increase fish supply to the riparian communities (through more effective use of available fisheries resources at regional and national levels).
3. Create employment opportunities, particularly for riparian communities.

These objectives are being met through the implementation of the plan, with details of how this is being done to be found within the pages listed below.

Management Actions:

The FMP sets a series of Strategic Goals and Recommended Activities to initiate the planning and implementation process to address the objectives: