Introduction

Abstract

Lake Victoria is an important nutritional and socio-economic resource that contributes significantly to the economies of the riparian countries and com- munities. The lake is important for transportation of goods and services among and within the riparian states; biodiversity conservation; water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use; and aesthetic values. Its fishery resources are noteworthy as sources of livelihoods, employment, and foreign earnings to the riparian states. Nonetheless, Lake Victoria has experienced drastic changes in water quality, biodi- versity, fisheries and wetlands due to high population pressure, unsustainable socio- economic and poor land-use activities. Fish stocks and biodiversity have declined, and eutrophication has caused rampant algal blooms and poor water visibility. These environmental concerns prompted the riparian states of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to formulate the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP I), and sign cooperation frameworks for the management of the lake and its basin. They aimed for rational utilisation and conservation of Lake Victoria through joint monitoring and management of the resources, rehabilitation of the ecosystems within the basin, and achieve environmentally and socially sustainable economic development of the states. LVEMP I started in 1997 and was implemented nationally but coordinated regionally within the scope of the East African Community Treaty. This book compiles, synthesizes and documents change in water quality, biodi- versity, fisheries, and fish processing and quality control that have occurred over the recent decades. It provides an overview of the present knowledge and status of the fish and fisheries of the lake, and proposes measures for monitoring or remedial actions.