Nile Perch Population Dynamics in Lake Victoria: Implications for Management and Conservation

AbstractCharacterising the genomic variation and population dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in high transmission regions of Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial to the long-term efficacy of regional malaria elimination campaigns and eradication. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technologies can contribute towards understanding the epidemiology and structural variation landscape of P. falciparum populations, including those within the Lake Victoria basin, a region of intense transmission. Here we provide a baseline assessment of the genomic diversity of P. falciparum isolates in the Lake region of Kenya, which has sparse genetic data. Lake region isolates are placed within the context of African-wide populations using Illumina WGS data and population genomic analyses. Our analysis revealed that P. falciparum isolates from Lake Victoria form a cluster within the East African parasite population. These isolates also appear to have distinct ancestral origins, containing genome-wide signatures from both Central and East African lineages. Known drug resistance biomarkers were observed at similar frequencies to those of East African parasite populations, including the S160N/T mutation in the pfap2mu gene, which has been associated with delayed clearance by artemisinin-based combination therapy. Overall, our work provides a first assessment of P. falciparum genetic diversity within the Lake Victoria basin, a region targeting malaria elimination.

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Impact of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) overfishing on fishers’ income: Evidence from Lake Victoria, Tanzania

African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics ◽

10.53936/afjare.2020.15(3).14 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 213-229

Author(s):

Eliaza Mkuna ◽

◽

Lloyd Baiyegunhi ◽

Keyword(s):

Lake Victoria ◽

Fishing Effort ◽

Nile Perch ◽

Switching Regression ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Fishing Trip ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Landing Sites ◽

Lates Niloticus ◽

Potential Impact

Despite the crucial role played by Nile perch in the income of fishers around Lake Victoria, Tanzania, fishing pressure has increased in recent years and has led to overfishing and, consequently, a risk to the lake’s future sustainability and the fishers’ livelihoods. This study used data collected in 2018 from 268 randomly selected sample fishers at 10 landing sites across Lake Victoria. In conjunction with the endogenous switching regression model, the potential impact of Nile perch overfishing on the fishers’ income per fishing trip in Lake Victoria was evaluated. The results show that there is a significant difference in the socio-economic, institutional and fishing effort characteristics of Nile perch fishers who overfish and those who do not. In particular, Nile perch fishers who overfish earn significantly higher incomes per fishing trip than fishers who do not overfish. The study recommends the need for policy makers to develop policies that acknowledge the dynamics of socio-economic, institutional and fishing effort factors. In addition, more flexible fish quota restrictions and consistent fishing patrols need to be enforced to ensure compliance with fishery regulations. These measures should promote a balance between the sustainability of fishery resources and an improved income for Nile perch fishers in Lake Victoria.

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