Uganda BMU training 3

Assistance to the fisheries sector of Lake Victoria is in line with the European Commission’s policy in terms of providing assistance to reduce poverty and stimulate economic development in recipient countries. The cost of the project is €29.9 million. This is commensurate with the potential benefits in securing the future well-being of the fishing industry, which has an estimated annual value of US$ 600 million annually and is the main contributor of freshwater fish exports to EU markets.

Purpose and Objectives  

The objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable economic growth, resource use and development in the Lake Victoria Basin. This aim supports the broader objective of poverty reduction and economic growth in each of the riparian States. A Fisheries Management Plan for Lake Victoria was adopted in 2002 by the three riparian countries constituting the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The project purpose is to assist the three riparian countries to implement fisheries management measures in line with the Fisheries Management Plan and the LVFO Strategic Vision 1999–2015. The strategy for contributing to pro-poor economic growth through improved livelihoods within shoreline fisheries dependent communities has five inter-dependent project Result areas. Despite delays in starting implementing activities during the previous APE, the project has made several remarkable achievements, some of which relating to Beach Management Units are already ground-breaking and drawing the attention of international institutions outside the continent.

Achievements

Uganda BMU training

The project is assisting the countries to develop an innovative and financially sustainable lake wide management framework which integrates the interests of all key stakeholders, especially those men and women in the poorer sections of rural communities. A bottom-up approach to institutional development has been adopted by the project and 1,087 community Beach Management Units have been established. The principal agents of change were local government officers whose role in the longer-term is to support and guide BMUs as partners in co-management. Independent monitoring of the whole mobilisation and awareness raising process was undertaken.

A major programme is underway to build the capacities of stakeholders to effectively implement the Fisheries Management Plan. Particular focus has been paid to BMUs but training also extends to local and national government representatives and other stakeholders in fisheries co-management.

The provision of a wide range of different types of supplies is underway to strengthen the capability of management and research institutions to undertake their designated functions and responsibilities. This includes the supply of vehicles for 6 national partner institutions and the LVFO Secretariat, four patrol boats for national or regional monitoring, two research vessel, smaller surveillance canoes and outboard engines for all riparian districts, spare parts for vehicles and vessels, office and computer equipment for the same institutions and selected District Fisheries Offices, fishing gear, field equipment and limited chemicals for research surveys and finally, communication equipment for the six offices and LVFO Secretariat. Project implementation will be strengthened, where needed, by commissioning the technical advisory services of international consultants (ISTTA) and regional consultants (RSTTA). 

Substantial resources and efforts are directed towards improving working and living conditions of fisheries stakeholders through developing infrastructure and services at fish landing sites and within associated communities. This is being achieved by improving fisheries infrastructure in at least 18 fish landing sites across three Partner States and developing social infrastructure for fisheries communities in a further 15 locations. Extensive refurbishment of the offices of the six national implementing institutions is nearing completion.

The project is seeking to attract assistance to fisheries communities to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and water borne diseases. Major progress has been made in the development of a Lake Victoria HIV/AIDS Strategy and Action Plan and the establishment of a network of institutions working on this crucially important topic.

The provision of accurate and reliable fisheries information needed for planning and management is provided by the regular fisheries surveys using Standard Operating Procedures. The collection of social and economic information is undertaken and feeds into the monitoring of impacts of management measures. The project is has developed a draft Fisheries Management Decision Support Tool which uses various types of information to provide a harmonised and systematic means to taking management decisions. 
 
An extensive fisheries patrol programme (MCS) is being implemented involving patrols mainly on water but also on land and closely involve the newly established BMUs as active participants in the programme. Activities are guided by the regional MCS Guidelines, Strategy, Action Plan and Operations Manual developed during with project support. A training component for different MCS stakeholders is included in the programme.  

The project will work towards building the capacity of the LVFO Secretariat as a centre of excellence for fisheries information and databases housed in a new office to be constructed, with support by the project, in Jinja, Uganda. Implementation of activities relating to the production of communication materials is guided by an Information, Communication and Outreach Strategy. A LVFO Information Policy will be developed to elucidate issues on ownership, access and management of information and data.