• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.282-293
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• 2023

Nile perch and Nile tilapia are major commercial species in Uganda, and thus require continuous production. However, their production is impacted by anthropogenic activities such as fishing in breeding habitats. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Nile perch and Nile tilapia fish breeding habitats on Lake Kyoga. Water quality, lake bottom, fish and vegetation type samples were collected from 20 sites in April of 2021 and 2022. Key informant interviews were conducted with experienced fishermen at five fish landing sites. The water quality parameters indicated significant difference within the sites using analysis of variance. Sandy and muddy bottom types were equally spread at 40% each by use of a pie chart. Fish gonads showed no significant difference among the 20 sites. Bivariate correlation analysis of the vegetation types indicated a strong negative correlation with Nile perch while Nile tilapia had a positive correlation. Principal component analysis of the water quality, fish gonads and habitat vegetation components cumulatively contributed 82.5% in characterizing a fish breeding habitat. Four sites for Nile perch and four sites for Nile tilapia were characterized as breeding sites on Lake Kyoga and are recommended for mapping and gazettement as breeding habitats for sustainable fisheries management.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2008

Fishing in Kenya, until the discovery of Nile perch as an export commodity in the early 1990s, has basically a subsistence occupation for the lake and coastal communities. The government also did not recognize the importance of fisheries as a contributor to the macro-economy and therefore, did not pay much attention in terms of resource allocation for the development of the sector. Most fishing in Kenya is artisanal, with a little industrial fishing by prawn trawlers. The deep sea (EEZ) fishery resources are currently exploited by DWFNs through a licensing system. Only a small quantity of catch from the EEZ is landed in Kenya, primarily tuna loins for processing for export. Currently capture fisheries, mainly from Lake Victoria, earn local fishers over Kenya shillings (K Sh) 7 billion, while exports earn the country K Sh 5 billion (US$ 50 million) in foreign exchange annually. The government has been putting in place an enabling environment to promote investment activities in order to achieve economic recovery as well as for the development and sustainable use of fisheries resources in the country within the specified period. The Department's major roles are to ensure sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources; to promote aquaculture development; to assure quality and safety of fish and fishery products; and to facilitate fish marketing in order to maximize the benefits that can be derived from fisheries. The contribution of fisheries to local incomes, subsistence and food nutrition is significant, as this occurs in areas with the highest incidences of poverty in the country.