Resource and Socio-economic Monitoring on Lake Victoria

The fisheries of Lake Victoria make a substantial contribution to the national economies of the Partner States, with considerable production for domestic markets and exports to regional and international markets. The lake is estimated to produce over 500,000 tonnes of fish annually, valued at US$ 600 million, with export earnings of US$ 217. Over 75% of the Nile perch is directed to the fish processing factories for export while Dagaa and tilapia are serving the regional and local markets.

The management of the fisheries depends on good information – on fish catches and stock levels, and on the socio-economic factors and impacts of fisheries management. LVFO therefore undertakes both fisheries resources monitoring and socio-economic monitoring and research.

Resource Monitoring

Resource monitoring requires a variety of surveys being carried out at regular intervals. Catch Assessment surveys, trawl, hydro-acoustic and gillnet surveys have been conducted since 2005, providing up-to-date information on the status of the fishery and the fish stocks. Biological studies and other environmental studies have been conducted, providing in-depth information on ecological interactions and impacts on the environment. 

Socio-economic Monitoring

Socio-economic monitoring enables fisheries managers to know more about the fisheries stakeholders and the complexities of their livelihoods. Socio-economic monitoring is undertaken to monitor impacts and changes in livelihoods and specific studies are carried out in areas such as marketing, impacts of management measures and on how fisheries contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.