The significance of Ruzizi Delta: Rusizi Burundian Delta and Ruzizi Congolese Delta, in the Great Lakes Region, for the Conservation of Birds

ABSTRACT The significance of the Ruzizi Delta: Rusizi Burundian Delta (RBD) and Ruzizi Congolese Delta (RCD), in the Great Lakes Region for bird conservation was investigated from April 2019 to November 2021 in five sites of the RBD and five sites of the RCD. The investigation was conducted by direct observation on transects counts, counting points and on bird species recognition routes using binoculars and two telescopes. Travels were facilitated by the motorized fiberglass boat and the double cabin field vehicle of the Centre for Research in Hydrobiology (CRH) in Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At the end of our investigations, we drew up the list of 490 species divided into 84 families and 18 orders. The following groups were listed: (i) 359 species of resident birds, of which 74 (21%) were recorded in the RCD, 148 (41%) in the RBD and 137 species (38%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (ii) 131 migrant bird species, of which 24 (18%) were recorded only in the RCD, 44 (34%) in the RBD and 63 species (48%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (iii) 176 water bird species, of which 26 (15%) were only recorded in the RCD, 49 (28%) in the RBD and 101 (57%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (iv) 238 (49%) Ramsar bird species for the criteria A1, A2, A3, A4i, A4ii and A4iv, among them, 29 (12%) species were only recorded in the RCD, 107 ( 45%) in the RBD and 102 species (43%) recorded in both the RCD and the RBD; (v) 21 species (4%) of birds with IUCN (International Union for Nature Conservation) status, of which only one species (Limosa limosa, Black-tailed Godwit) was recorded only in the RCD, 13 (62%) were only recorded in the RBD and 7 species (33%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; Finally, the research pinpointed 60 newly recorded bird species in the Ruzizi Delta, of which four 4 (7%) were recorded only in the RCD, 37 (61%) in the RBD and 19 species (32%) were recorded in both the RCD and the RBD. The sustainability of all these species and their groups in the Ruzizi Delta requires the protection of the wetlands of the Ruzizi Congolese Delta as a community reserve and potential Ramsar site which will be submitted by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to the Ramsar Secretariat for designation as a Ruzizi Congolese Delta Ramsar site. Keywords: Significance of the Ruzizi Delta; Ruzizi Congolese Delta; Rusizi Burundian Delta; Bird conservation; Great Lakes region. References Bashonga, A. B., Sande, E., Kahindo, C., & Ntakimazi, G. (2023). Checklist of the Bird Species from the Ruzizi Delta, Northern End of lake Tanganyika, in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Biolife 11 (2);115-129. Chimatiro, S., & al, e. (2021). The African Great Lakes Regional Food System; the contribution of fisheries- the case of small pelagic fishes. A Discussion Paper. . Penang Malaysia: World Fish & Natural Resources Institute (NRI), 43 pages. www.fish.cgiar.org 23/8/2023. Cousin, P. H., Sinclair, L., Alain, J. F., & Love, C. E. (1993). Larousse & Collins Pratique; Dictionnaire Francais-Anglais/Anglais-Francais Voyages-Correspondance, 70000 mots et expressions. Londrs-Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, No 9 782850 36 140 1, 358 pages. Demey, R., & Louette, M. (2001). Democratic Republic of Congo. In Fishpool L.D.C.& Evans M.I eds Important Bird Areas in Africa:Priority Sites for Conservation. Pisces Publications and BirdLife International, 199-218. Dowset, & Dowset-Lemaire. (1993). A contribution to the Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy birds Tauraco Research Report . Liège, Belgium.: Tauraco Press, Jupille No. 5 pp195-204. Fishpool, L., & Evans, M. (2001). Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands, Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury and Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International, 1144 pages. www.birdlife.net. Gaugris, Y. (1979). Les oiseaux aquatiques de la plaine de la basse Rusizi (Burundi) (1973-1978). Belgium: l’Oiseau et la Revue française d’ornithologie, volume 49 n° 21:33-153. Guggisberg, C. (1986). Birds of East Africa. Supra Safari Guide No 6 Volume II. Nairobi: Mount Kenya Sundries, 196 pages. Guggisberg, C. (1988). Birds of East Africa. Supra Safari Guide No 6 Volum I. Nairobi: Mount Kenya Sundries, 198 pages . MEEATU, Ramsar, C., & WWF. (2014). Atlas of Burundi's four Ramsar sites: Location and Resources. Bujumbura, Burundi: Ministry of Water, Environment, Land Use Planning and Town Planning (MEEATU), 44p. Nkezabahizi, L., & Bizimana, D. (2008). Burundi’s Important Bird Areas, Status and Trends. Bujumbura-Burundi: Association Burundaise pour la protection des Oiseaux, 58 pages. Nkezabahizi, L., & Manirambona, A. (2011). Burundi’s Important Bird Areas Status and Trend 2010. London: BirdLife International & RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK), 36 pages

Local perceptions on the state of the pelagic fisheries and fisheries management in Uvira, Lake Tanganyika, DR Congo

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

Need for harmonized long-term multi-lake monitoring of African Great Lakes

To ensure the long-term sustainable use of African Great Lakes (AGL), and to better understand the functioning of these ecosystems, authorities, managers and scientists need regularly collected scientific data and information of key environmental indicators over multi-years to make informed decisions. Monitoring is regularly conducted at some sites across AGL; while at others sites, it is rare or conducted irregularly in response to sporadic funding or short-term projects/studies. Managers and scientists working on the AGL thus often lack critical long-term data to evaluate and gauge ongoing changes. Hence, we propose a multi-lake approach to harmonize data collection modalities for better understanding of regional and global environmental impacts on AGL. Climate variability has had strong impacts on all AGL in the recent past. Although these lakes have specific characteristics, their limnological cycles show many similarities. Because different anthropogenic pressures take place at the different AGL, harmonized multi-lake monitoring will provide comparable data to address the main drivers of concern (climate versus regional anthropogenic impact). To realize harmonized long-term multi-lake monitoring, the approach will need: (1) support of a wide community of researchers and managers; (2) political goodwill towards a common goal for such monitoring; and (3) sufficient capacity (e.g., institutional, financial, human and logistic resources) for its implementation. This paper presents an assessment of the state of monitoring the AGL and possible approaches to realize a long-term, multi-lake harmonized monitoring strategy. Key parameters are proposed. The support of national and regional authorities is necessary as each AGL crosses international boundaries

Need for harmonized long-term multi-lake monitoring of African Great Lakes

To ensure the long-term sustainable use of African Great Lakes (AGL), and to better understand the functioning of these ecosystems, authorities, managers and scientists need regularly collected scientific data and information of key environmental indicators over multi-years to make informed decisions. Monitoring is regularly conducted at some sites across AGL; while at others sites, it is rare or conducted irregularly in response to sporadic funding or short-term projects/studies. Managers and scientists working on the AGL thus often lack critical long-term data to evaluate and gauge ongoing changes. Hence, we propose a multi-lake approach to harmonize data collection modalities for better understanding of regional and global environmental impacts on AGL. Climate variability has had strong impacts on all AGL in the recent past. Although these lakes have specific characteristics, their limnological cycles show many similarities. Because different anthropogenic pressures take place at the different AGL, harmonized multi-lake monitoring will provide comparable data to address the main drivers of concern (climate versus regional anthropogenic impact). To realize harmonized long-term multi-lake monitoring, the approach will need: (1) support of a wide community of researchers and managers; (2) political goodwill towards a common goal for such monitoring; and (3) sufficient capacity (e.g., institutional, financial, human and logistic resources) for its implementation. This paper presents an assessment of the state of monitoring the AGL and possible approaches to realize a long-term, multi-lake harmonized monitoring strategy. Key parameters are proposed. The support of national and regional authorities is necessary as each AGL crosses international boundaries