Status and impact of rural aquaculture practice on Lake Victoria basin wetlands
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Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Ecology
Abstract
Rural aquaculture in Lake Victoria basin is a fast
increasing nontraditional farming activity which if not
appropriately practised will lead to degradation of the
wetlands. As part of a study to develop appropriate
guidelines and model systems for wetlands-based rural
aquaculture in the basin a survey was conducted to assess
the status and the ecological and socioeconomic impact of
rural aquaculture on wetlands and wetlands communities.
Aquaculture practice was found to be common but not as
a major activity. Aquaculture in the wetlands can be
described as a low input-low output production activity and
subsistence based on ponds under 400 m2 using free seed
from public agencies with hardly any supplementary
feeding. Men owned most of the ponds and women only
contributed to the management of the fishponds by feeding
the fish. Poorly constructed ponds and loss during harvesting
have led to the escape of cultured species into the
wild. Introduction of nonnative species in the basin has
already led to wide ranging ecological, environmental and
socioeconomic changes whose impact and usefulness are
still very much contentious. Repeat of such scenarios can
be avoided if appropriate and science-based models for
rural aquaculture farming are developed, tested and disseminated
to the communities.
Description
Keywords
Lake Victoria, Rural aquaculture, Wetlands
Citation
Mwanja, W. W., Akol, A., Abubaker, L., Mwanja, M., Msuku, S. B., & Bugenyi, F. (2007). Status and impact of rural aquaculture practice on Lake Victoria basin wetlands. African Journal of Ecology, 45(2), 165-174.