LAKE VICTORIA AND THE COMMON PROPERTY DEBATE: IS THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS A THREAT TO ITS FUTURE?

Lake Victoria is the largest among the African Great Lakes in East African region that are believed to have both dynamic and fragile aquatic ecosystems. Within two decades, the lake has experienced extensive resource exploitation leading to constrained productivity and drastic decline of native biodiversity. Intensive non-selective fishing, catchment vegetation degradation, industrial and agricultural pollution, the introduction of exotic species and uneven patchwork of governmental laws are some of the reasons for the current ecological woes facing Lake Victoria. This paper intends to stimulate recognition of Lake Victoria and its catchment as a lived Com­mons, to be shared, protected, managed and enjoyed by all who live around it. The paper compares the original biodiversity status of the lake with the current status and discusses the role of unlimited access as a function of the loss of the Lake’s biological wealth. The Lake’s water resource base, fishery, wetlands and other aquatic resources have been exhaustively discussed. In this review, we uphold the Hardin’s school of thought that freedom of the commoners causes resource overuse leading to poverty. Therefore, limiting freedom could be essential. However, there is need for provision of alternative means of survival since people with no choices would continue over-exploiting ecosystems even under limited access. The Lake Victoria basin commons should be protected by strict legal and clear political frame­work based on public trust doctrine, reinforced in law that the Lake is vital for the survival of people, plants and animals living on or near it and therefore must be protected for the common good. The political jurisdictions should consider governing the Lake basin as one integrated watershed. It is our fervent hope that bordering communities will secure grass root movements to protect and nurture Lake Victoria and its environs for the benefit of the present and future generations

Seasonal Changes of Length -Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Five Fish Species in Lake Baringo, Kenya

This study describes the length-weight relationships (LWR) and relative condition factor (K) of five fish species in Lake Baringo, Kenya. A total of 483 fishes consisting of Barbus intermedius, Clarias gariepinus, Labeo cylindricus, Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis and Protopterus aethiopicus were collected on monthly basis from Lake Baringo between September 2012 and August 2013. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the weight at unit length (b) of the length weight relationship between the wet and dry season in all the fish species. However, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in condition factor between the two seasons. In all the five species studied, the sex ratio did not deviate from the expected sex ration of 1:1. The b values were within the range of 2.2 and 3.4 in both the dry and the wet seasons respectively, indicating an isometric growth of the fishes. The condition factor (K) for all the five species from Lake Baringo was well above 1 suggesting a relatively good physiological condition of the fishes in the lake. The seasonal variation influenced the length-weight relationship of the fishes but did not affect the condition factor and the sex ratio of all the fish species in Lake Baringo. The authors recommend a further study taking into account the fluctuations of water quality parameters

USPOREDNA PERFORMANSA RASTA MUŽJAKA ISTOG SPOLA I MJEŠOVITOG SPOLA NILSKE TILAPIJE (Oreochromis niloticus L.) UZGAJANIH U ZEMLJANIM RIBNJACIMA

Comparative growth performance of male monosex and mixed sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was conducted in six earthen ponds each measuring 150 m2 at the Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kegati Aquaculture Research Station. Male monosex and mixed sex of O. niloticus juveniles at an average weight of 12.2 ± 0.02 g and average length of 7.6 ± 0.02 cm were collected from nursery production ponds. The male monosex juveniles were obtained by feeding newly hatched juveniles with feed dosed with 17-α-methyltestosterone hormone for a period of one month. Stocking was at 3 juvenile m-2 and feeding was carried out using 28% crude protein diet twice daily for six months at 4% body weight. Selected water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and total ammonia nitrogen) were measured weekly in situ, while sampling for weight and length measurements was conducted on a monthly basis for a period of six months. Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Condition Factor (CF) and survival rate (%) were measured at the end of six months. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). At the end of six months, the average weight of male monosex and mixed sex fishes was 200.8 ± 0.81 g (mean ± SE) and 123.4 ± 0.76 g, respectively, while the average length of male monosex and mixed sex was 22.4 ± 0.21 cm and 18.6 ± 0.23 cm, respectively. The male monosex O. niloticus achieved significantly increased final weight and length, SGR, FCR and CF than the mixed sex O. niloticus (p 0.05). There were no significant differences in mean water quality parameters in male monosex and mixed sex ponds (p > 0.05). The male monosex fish performed better because most energy was spent on muscle and tissue development while the mixed sex fish spent most energy on reproduction activities at the expense of muscle and tissue development. Further studies should be done in other culture systems such as liner ponds, tanks, cages and raceways.Usporedna performansa rasta mužjaka istog spola u odnosu na mješoviti spol Nilske tilapije (Oreochromis niloticus) provedena je u šest zemljanih ribnjaka veličine 150 m2 u Kenijskom institutu za istraživanje mora i ribarstva (KMFRI), Akvakulturna stanica u Kegatiju. Nedozrele jedinke mužjaka istog spola i mješovitog spola O. niloticus prosječne mase 12,2 ± 0,02 g i prosječne dužine 7,6 ± 0,02 cm prikupljene su iz mladičnjaka. Nedozrele jedinke mužjaka su dobivene hranjenjem novoizleglih ličinaka s hranom doziranom hormonom 17 α-metil-testosteronom u razdoblju od mjesec dana. Nasad je proveden u gustoći od 3 mladunca / m2 i hranidbom od 28% sirovih proteina dva puta dnevno tijekom šest mjeseci na 4% tjelesne težine. Odabrani fizikalno-kemijski parametri vode (otopljen kisik, temperatura, provodljivost i ukupni amonijak) mjereni su tjedno in situ, dok su izmjere dužina i masa provedene na mjesečnoj bazi tijekom 6 mjeseci. Specifična stopa rasta (SGR), omjer konverzije hrane (FCR), kondicijski faktor (CF) i stopa preživljavanja (%) izmjereni su na kraju perioda od šest mjeseci. Podaci su analizirani jednosmjernom analizom varijance (ANOVA). Na kraju promatranog perioda od 6 mjeseci, prosječna težina mužjaka istog spola iznosila je 200,8 ± 0,81 g (prosjek ± standardna devijacija) i mješovitog spola 123,4 ± 0,76 g, a prosječna dužina mužjaka istog spola iznosila je 22,4 ± 0,21 cm i mješovitog spola 18,6 ± 0,23 cm. Mužjaci istog spola O. niloticus postigli su značajno veću konačnu težinu i dužinu, SGR, FCR i CF nego mješoviti spol (p 0,05). Nije zabilježena značajna razlika u kvaliteti mjerenih parametara u vodi ribnjaka promatranih skupina riba (p > 0,05). Mužjaci istog spola imaju bolje rezultate jer je većina energije potrošena na mišiće i razvoj tkiva, dok je mješoviti spol trošio najviše energije na reprodukcijske aktivnosti na račun mišića i razvoj tkiva. Daljnja istraživanja bi trebala biti usmjerena ka drugim sustavima uzgoja poput obloženih ribnjaka, zatvorenih bazena, kaveza i protočnih kanala

Utilisation of locally available feedstuffs for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) production in small-scale cage culture in Kenya

Die vorliegende Untersuchung sollte Beiträge zur Entwicklung von Futterressourcen für eine nachhaltige low-input-Teichwirtschaft zur Produktion von Nil-Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in drei Regionen Kenias leisten. Aufgrund ihrer Verfügbarkeit, ihrem Gehalt an Rohprotein und Rohfaser sowie der Möglichkeit der Entfernung antinutritiver Inhaltsstoffe wurden Federnmehl, extrahierte Teeblätter, Blätter von Süßkartoffel (Ipomoea batatus), Maniok (Manihot esculenta) und Papaya (Papaya carica) als potenzielle Futtermittel identifiziert. In einem Fütterungsversuch wurde sogenanntes Süßwasser-Shrimpmehl (Caridina nilotica; FSM) in mehreren Abstufungen durch Federnmehl (HFM) substituiert. In Aquarien führte eine Substitution von mehr als 50 % zu einer signifikanten Wachstumsreduktion. In low-input Aquakultur (Teich) trat demgegenüber auch bei völliger Substitution nur eine tendenzielle Verschlechterung des Wachstums ein. Es kann gefolgert werden, dass eine vollständige Substitution von FSM durch HFM bei low-input-Produktion und dem Vorhandensein einer natürlichen Futterbasis in Teichen von O. niloticus möglich ist. Sowohl in Aquarien als auch im Teich erbrachte die 50 % Substitutionsstufe die beste Zuwachsleistung und stellt daher jedenfalls eine empfehlenswerte Variante dar. Dies gilt insbesondere bei Kombination von HFM mit FSM und allenfalls Papaya (papaya carica)-Blättern, die in einem weiteren Wachstumsversuch getestet wurden. Aus der vorliegenden Untersuchung kann geschlossen werden, dass lokal verfügbare, alternative Futtermittel in der Produktion von O. niloticus eingesetzt werden können und zu einer Verbesserung der Nachhaltigkeit der Erzeugung beitragen. Weiterführende Untersuchungen zu den Effekten der hier getesteten Futtermittel bei O. niloticus in späteren Wachstumsphasen bzw. bis zur Martkreife sind notwendig.The present study was conducted to identify sustainable alternative protein sources using locally available feedstuffs for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L) production in three eco-regions of Kenya. Based on their availability, content of protein and fibre and the feasibility of removal of antinutritional factors, hydrolysed feather meal, boiled tea leaves residues, leaves of Ipomoea batatus, Manihot esculenta and Papaya carica were identified as most promising potential non-conventional feedstuffs. In a feeding experiment freshwater shrimp meal (Caridina nilotica; FSM) was gradually substituted by hydrolysed feather meal (HFM). Results indicated that substitution of FSM at HFM levels above 50% in aquaria led to significant growth reductions. However, complete substitution did not significantly affect growth of fish in low-input aquaculture. In conclusion, 100% substitution of FSM by HFM may be possible in semi-intensive culture of O. niloticus, where natural food is available. Both in pond and aquaria setup, the 50% diet gave the best performance overall and therefore has the highest potential for O.niloticus production. This is especially the case for a combination of the protein sources FSM, HFM and Pawpaw (Papaya carica) leaf meal, wich was tested in another growth experiment. From this study it can be concluded that locally available non-convectional feedstuffs can sustainably be utilized in O.niloticus production. Further research is to be directed towards analysing the effects of the feedstuffs identified herein on production traits of O.niloticus grown to market size.Munguti Jonathan MbongeAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Diss., 2007OeBB(VLID)193159

Determinants of fish farmers’ awareness of insect-based aquafeeds in Kenya; the case of black soldier fly larvae meal

AbstractIt is evident from scientific studies that black soldier fly larvae can replace the widely used fishmeal, which is costly and unsustainable for smallholder farmers, in aquafeeds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors t influencing fish farmers’ awareness of use of black soldier fly larvae meal as an ingredient in fish feeds. The effect of farmers’ socioeconomic status and aquaculture practices on their awarenessabout black soldier fly larvae based aquafeeds was examined using a binary logit regression model. The regression analysis results revealed that fish farming experience (β = 0.327; p = 0.001), distance to feed sources (β = 0.009; p = 0.034), farmers’ income (β = −0.505; p = 0.008) and knowledge about the components of existing feed (β = 2.667; p = 0.004) significantly influenced the farmers’ awareness about black soldier fly larvae meal. The results suggest that communication and farmer education are key in improving the farmers’ awareness about novel fish feed ingredients. Therefore, there is need for both public and private institutions to improve awareness creation through local print and electronic media to enhance fish farmers’ awareness of insect-based aquafeeds

The role of indigenous knowledge in fisheries resource management for aquaculture development: A case study of the Kenyan Lake Victoria region

Abstract Indigenous knowledge is critical in the conservation of wild fish genetic resources and consequent development of fish seed for improved aquaculture production. Local fisher communities rely on aquatic resources mainly for livelihood and subsistence and have therefore come up with systems to manage these resources for sustainable use. This study aimed at identifying the role of indigenous people's knowledge in fish conservation as a way of improving aquaculture, with a specific focus on the conservation of aquaculture fish species in Kenya. Data was collected from individual fisherfolk through semi‐structured questionnaires and field observations. Pearson's chi‐square test was performed on variables that were predicted to influence indigenous knowledge. The chi‐square tests revealed a significant relationship between age and indigenous knowledge (χ2 = 15.153, p = 0.004). Results also revealed a significant relationship between an individual's years of residence in the area and indigenous knowledge (χ2 = 17.767, p = 0.003). It was found that the indigenous people use various concepts and strategies for fish conservation and fish production. From the findings of the study, it is recommended that scientists and policy actors should adopt the indigenous people's knowledge as a source of baseline information for fisheries and aquaculture research, and as additional or alternative strategies for the management of fish genetic resources