LAKE VICTORIA CONSERVATION PROGRAMME BEARS FRUIT

 

Bukoba — THE Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme Phase Two (LVEMP 2) has positively increased the lake's water level from 1,139.98 metres during 2012 to 1,333.60 metres this year, it has been disclosed.

A senior water officer with the Lake Victoria Basin, John Ndalawa, said the results were due to concerted efforts by stakeholders to collectively fight environmental pollution.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told Parliament in Dodoma recently that during 1999 Nile Perch species in Lake Victoria decreased by 60 per cent, while between 1999-2007 the fish decreased by 32 per cent and between 2007-2009, the fish reduced by 16 per cent.

He called upon all stakeholders to take a holistic approach to ensure the resources were well managed for the benefit of future generations.

He noted that there were indications that many fish species in Lake Victoria would become extinct within the next 30 years.

A recent study conducted by Accord Tanzania revealed that by 2048 there would be a big loss in fish resources in the lake.

There is increasing fish pressure and environmental pollution in Lake Victoria. If it is not well-managed there will be over-fishing, depletion of resources and loss of socio-economic benefits," he said.

Fish in Lake Victoria was being plundered at an alarming rate calling for urgent steps to save the resources. Pollution and environmental degradation has also led to extinction of more than 400 fish species in Lake Victoria over the last four decades.

The study revealed that Nile Perch stocks went down from 750,000 tons during 2005 to 337,000 tons in 2008. Tilapia also dropped from 27,061 tons to 24,811 tons during the same period.

The study also revealed that while there were over 400 fish species in Lake Victoria during 1920s, the number had dropped to almost zero with only three species available including Nile Perch (Sangara), Tilapia (Sato) and Sardines (dagaa).

"This is quite alarming. Joint effort must be taken to safeguard the resources," the Premier said. Lives of hundreds of residents in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) are in danger due to increasing pollution of the lake and eating poisoned fish.

The basin has an estimated population of 30 million. Over 30 million people in Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) could greatly improve their livelihoods if they utilise the abundant investment opportunities in the basin. Under the East African Cooperation Treaty, the basin has been categorised as an economic growth zone.

Available investment opportunities include agriculture and livestock, trade and commerce, fishing, mining, wildlife and tourism. Others are hydro-power generation, infrastructure development, human resources development, industries, research and technology.

Investigation conducted by the 'Daily News' on different fish landing sites had established that many fish species were facing extinction due to illegal fishing methods. In some cases unscrupulous fishermen were using poison to kill hundreds of fish.