By Rushdie Oudia

Lake Victoria is losing one of its most popular fish species, the Nile Perch, at an alarming rate.

The fish species, locally known as mbuta, is getting depleted due to its high demand locally and abroad. According to the latest study by the Kenya Maritime Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), mbuta stock in the lake has reduced to 34 per cent.

Mbuta was among many alien species introduced in the lake in the 1950s to boost economic benefits but this is turning out to be unsustainable in the long term since the lake’s ecological functions and ecosystem suffer from elements beyond its boundaries.

According to the research, 49 per cent of Nile Perch is harvested before it reaches maturity stage, thereby interfering with the reproduction process. A mature Nile Perch weighs 200kgs and is more than six feet long but the KMFRI study says fishermen do not let the fish grow to this size.

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The Nile Perch is also a predator that dominates its surroundings and feeds on other fish as well as its own offspring. KMFRI researcher Simon Agembe said due to reduced fish yields, reducing biodiversity and water borne diseases, the livelihoods and well being of more than 40 million people remains at risk.

Protect the Nile Perch

Agembe said if not regulated, stocks of other species like Dagaa (Omena) is likely to decline since

fishermen are pilling pressure on them.

Dagaa’s decline stands at 54 per cent while tilapia’s is at six per cent. The study recommends that the Government puts measures that will protect the Nile Perch and other species in place.

Agembe proposes the protection of breeding areas and introduction of an alternative source of food and income for fishermen to reduce the pressure on the Lake.

Meanwhile KMFRI and Nagasaki University of Japan have signed an agreement that will see the two undertake various researches on marine and fisheries in the two countries.

The agreement will see an exchange programme of students, scientists and professors from the two sides.

KMFRI Deputy Director (Inland Waters) Enock Wakwabi said the agreement is a platform to get technical and financial support from Japan adding that it will help in capacity building bearing in mind the country’s prowess in research.

Prof Atsushi Hagawara, a member of the Japanese delegation, says the 40 researchers will help Kenya in tropical

research and find ways of dealing with the hyacinth menace and other issues affecting the Lake.