TY - JOUR
T1 - Local perceptions on the state of the pelagic fisheries and fisheries management in Uvira, Lake Tanganyika, DR Congo
AU - De Keyzer, Els
AU - Masilya Mulungula, Pascal
AU - Alunga Lufungula, Georges
AU - Amisi Manala, Christian
AU - Andema Muniali, Armand
AU - Bashengezi Cibuhira, Prosper
AU - Bashonga Bishobibiri, Alexis
AU - Bashonga Rafiki, Abel
AU - Hyangya Lwikitcha, Béni
AU - Hugé, J.J.A.
AU - Itulamya, Christian
AU - Huyghe, Charlotte E.T.
AU - Itulamya Kitungano, Christian
AU - Janssens de Bisthoven, Luc
AU - Kakogozo Bombi, Josué
AU - Kamakune Sabiti, Sandrine
AU - Kiriza Katagata, Innocent
AU - Kwibe Assani, Dialloh
AU - Lubunga Dunia, Papi
AU - Lumami Kapepula, Vercus
AU - Lwacha, Fazili
AU - Mazambi Lutete, Jacques
AU - Mazambi Lutete, Jacques
AU - Milec, Leona J.M.
AU - Milenge Kamalebo, Héritier
AU - Mulimbwa N'Sibula, Théophile
AU - Mushagalusa Mulega, Archimède
AU - Mushagalusa Mulega, Archimède
AU - Muzumani Risasi, Donatien
AU - Mwenyemali Banamwezi, Dieudonné
AU - Kahindo N'djungu, Joseph
AU - Nabintu Bugabanda, Noëlla
AU - Ntakobajira Karani, Jean-Paul
AU - Raeymaekers, Joost A.M.
AU - Riziki Walumona, Jacques
AU - Safari Rukahusa, Ruffin
AU - Vanhove, Maarten P.M.
AU - Volckaert, Filip A.M.
AU - Wembo Ndeo, Oscar
AU - Van Steenberge, Maarten
PY - 2020/12/1
Y1 - 2020/12/1
N2 - The fisheries of Lake Tanganyika play an important role in food security in Central and Eastern Africa. Conservation of these valuable fish stocks will benefit from documenting the ideas, opinions and observations of stakeholders. Knowledge of the perceptions and an understanding of the concerns and struggles of stakeholders of these fisheries can provide policy-makers with recommendations for more suitable fisheries management. We did 1018 interviews with stakeholders, in one close-ended and three semi-open ended surveys. Factor analysis revealed seven clusters of opinions. Linear-mixed effects models identified common grounds and differences in opinions between groups of stakeholders about strategies in fisheries management. Stakeholders of the fisheries indicated challenges due to weather or climate variability, a noticeable decrease in fish abundance and size, and an increase in the price of fish. Fishermen experienced a lack of safety on the lake, including aggression and dangerous weather conditions, and hardly had access to safety gear and infrastructure. Landing site officials, state employees who monitor the beaches, mentioned capture of juveniles and declining catch-rates as the biggest threats to the fisheries. None of the groups of stakeholders attributed the problems in the fisheries to overfishing or overpopulation. We found similarities in opinions over a wide range of stakeholder groups, with many stakeholders asking for better and fair enforcement of existing legislation. State employees were more positive than the other groups towards creating more strict regulation of the fisheries. The results presented offer focuspoints for policy-makers to improve the management of the Lake Tanganyika pelagic fisheries.
AB - The fisheries of Lake Tanganyika play an important role in food security in Central and Eastern Africa. Conservation of these valuable fish stocks will benefit from documenting the ideas, opinions and observations of stakeholders. Knowledge of the perceptions and an understanding of the concerns and struggles of stakeholders of these fisheries can provide policy-makers with recommendations for more suitable fisheries management. We did 1018 interviews with stakeholders, in one close-ended and three semi-open ended surveys. Factor analysis revealed seven clusters of opinions. Linear-mixed effects models identified common grounds and differences in opinions between groups of stakeholders about strategies in fisheries management. Stakeholders of the fisheries indicated challenges due to weather or climate variability, a noticeable decrease in fish abundance and size, and an increase in the price of fish. Fishermen experienced a lack of safety on the lake, including aggression and dangerous weather conditions, and hardly had access to safety gear and infrastructure. Landing site officials, state employees who monitor the beaches, mentioned capture of juveniles and declining catch-rates as the biggest threats to the fisheries. None of the groups of stakeholders attributed the problems in the fisheries to overfishing or overpopulation. We found similarities in opinions over a wide range of stakeholder groups, with many stakeholders asking for better and fair enforcement of existing legislation. State employees were more positive than the other groups towards creating more strict regulation of the fisheries. The results presented offer focuspoints for policy-makers to improve the management of the Lake Tanganyika pelagic fisheries.
KW - CATCHES
KW - CONSERVATION
KW - CRITERIA
KW - ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
KW - East African Great Lakes
KW - FISH
KW - FLUCTUATIONS
KW - Freshwater Fisheries
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - LESSONS
KW - PRODUCTIVITY
KW - Stakeholder perceptions
KW - Surveys
KW - Sustainable fisheries
KW - VARIABILITY
KW - WATER
U2 - 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.09.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.09.003
M3 - Article
SN - 0380-1330
VL - 46
SP - 1740
EP - 1753
JO - Journal of Great Lakes Research
JF - Journal of Great Lakes Research
IS - 6
ER -