The second largest lake in Africa and the world’s largest tropical lake, Lake Victoria, has had an immense influence on life and culture in the region, serving as a major source of hydropower, drinking water, and food. Drawing an estimated renewable resource of 28,900 cubic meters of water from these extensive waters each year, the three countries that share a border with Lake Victoria are Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Uganda, the smallest of all three countries, has been able to benefit the most economically as its waters are the home of two-thirds of the lake’s total fishery resources. As of 2019, the country receives an annual value of $19.8 million in domestic fish production, with nationwide fish exports valued at $78.8 million—accounting for the fourth-largest export industry within Uganda economy. The Ugandan government has also implemented a plan to build hydropower dams on the lake in order to help with electricity generation and provide opportunities for small-scale businesses.
Kenya, bordering the southeastern side of the lake, is the largest of the three Lake Victoria countries and also generates the most resources from the lake. According to estimates, the country makes about $600 million in economic revenue from fisheries, fuelwood use and export of electricity from its hydropower station. Kenya’s per capita income from Lake Victoria is also some of the highest in the region, and many locals have direct access to fish, freshwater and electricity for their personal use. Unfortunately, over fishing and environmental pollution has taken a toll on the lake and its wildlife, despite a policy of environmental preservation around the lake.
The third country bordering Lake Victoria is Tanzania—the largest of the three countries situated on the lake. Over the past decade, Tanzania has seen its own share of economic growth generated by the lake. The country earns an estimated $128 million annually in fishery production, and has also benefited greatly from investment in its lake-related businesses. In addition, Tanzania’s navy has played a key role in curbing illegal fishing operations, which has helped to keep the lake’s fish population in check.
In order to protect the lake and its resources into the future, the countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have taken concerted efforts to reduce environmental pollution and invest in sustainable fishing practices. Over the past few years, each has invested heavily in establishing protected areas and undertaking research initiatives that are helping to restore the balance between man and nature. To ensure a healthy future for Lake Victoria and its surrounding countries, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission also provides a forum for information exchange, technical cooperation, and general cooperation among the countries.
Economic Impact on Surrounding Communities
The fishing industry—which is the main source of employment and income in the region—has seen a drastic improvement in the number of fishers employed and the amount of cash income earned since the early 1980s. The availability of fish and other resources such as firewood, charcoal and water, has enabled local communities to use the lake resources to create jobs and generate additional income.
In addition, the establishment of protected areas around the lake and the introduction of sustainable fishing practices have helped to reduce the impact of overfishing and protect the very sensitive fish populations around the lake. For instance, the introduction of traditional fishing ban areas has helped to control illegal fishing operations, while introducing net size restrictions and the ban of destructive fishing practices has helped to minimise environmental damage.
These efforts have a positive effect on the people that live in the surrounding countries and depend on the lake for their livelihoods. For instance, more opportunities have been created for small scale entrepreneurs that create and sell artisanal craft items. In addition, many local communities have benefited from hydropower projects that have been built around the lake, leading to a wider access to electricity.
Environmental Issues Around Lake Victoria
Though the countries that share a border with Lake Victoria have acknowledged the importance of environmental preservation and conservation, the lake faces a range of serious environmental issues, such as water pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and the introduction of alien species.
Pollution has been linked to increasingly intense deforestation in the area, with the use of firewood and charcoal as the main sources of fuel. Furthermore, while some successful efforts have been made to reduce illegal fishing activities, illegal activities remain an ongoing issue, with poachers using large-scale netting and other indiscriminate methods to capture large numbers of fish.
The introduction of foreign species into the lake has resulted in a number of ecological problems, including eutrophication, a process in which nutrient-filled runoff from the surrounding land causes an increase in water plant production, oxygen depletion, and the death of fish. The ornamental fish trade also contributes to the problem, as it introduces potentially harmful species such as the popular African clawed frog, which feed on smaller organisms, including native fish.
Conservation Efforts Around Lake Victoria
In order to help restore the balance between man and nature, the local authorities have adopted conservation practices such as the creation of sanctuaries and the use of artificial reefs to protect native fish species. The creation of sanctuaries has resulted in the creation of important habitats for the fish and the restoration of their natural spawning grounds.
In addition, the introduction of artificial reefs has helped to create more habitats for unique and endangered species. The reefs also help to protect the fish from predators, such as kingfishers, and create a safe zone for the species to reproduce and grow.
The local authorities have also taken steps to tackle the illegal fishing activities by increasing the number of patrols in the lake and deploying drones for better monitoring. These measures have helped to reduce illegal fishing activities to an extent, and led to an increased enforcement of the no-fishing regulations in the area.
Innovative Technologies to Protect the Lake
In addition to the current conservation efforts, researchers and professionals in the field have developed new technologies to help protect the lake’s rich biodiversity. One of the most promising technologies is the ‘netless fishing’ system, which uses sound waves to attract fish into the net rather than using nets to trap them. This innovative method offers a more sustainable approach to fishing and helps to limit the environmental impact on the fish population.
Another innovative technology developed by scientists and activists is the use of bio-acoustics, which measures the presence of fish in the water by measuring disturbances in the waters surface due to fish behaviour. This technology can be used to identify overfished areas and protect important breeding grounds for the fish.
In addition, the use of mobile phone technology has enabled people living near the lake to take part in conservation efforts by collecting data to monitor fish populations and fishing activities. The data collected is then uploaded onto a central database and can be used to monitor the lake’s health and detect any potential threats to the lake’s life.
Community Engagement to Preserve Lake Victoria
In order to fully understand and protect Lake Victoria, businesses and communities across the three countries must come together and take action. Engaging local communities in conservation and sustainability initiatives can help to create an understanding of the need for cooperation and work together to protect the lake.
For example, local initiatives such as the ‘Wamala Fishing for the Future’ project has implemented the innovative ‘Communal Bean Collection’ programme, which pays local fishers for their fish populations in order to tackle overfishing in the area. The money from the programme then goes towards the restoration of the local fisheries and helps to restore the economic wellbeing of the community.
In addition, a number of governmental and international organisations have been working together to raise awareness of the importance of Lake Victoria for the region. By providing training and education about the need for sustainable practices, these organisations are helping to ensure that the lake remains a healthy ecosystem for the future.
Conclusion
As one of Africa’s most important bodies of water, Lake Victoria provides immense economic and social benefits to the three countries that share a border with it. Despite the challenges it faces, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have each taken considerable efforts to protect and conserve the lake, investing in sustainable practices and innovative technologies to help preserve the rich biodiversity within its waters. As the countries continue to work together, they can ensure a brighter future for Lake Victoria and its surrounding communities.
