A REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES OF THE UGANDA WATERS OF LAKE ALBERT

East Africa, 1928-1965/66, witb catcb data mainly from 1953

by

D. A. CADWALLADR*

AND

]. STONEMAN

Uganda Fisheries Department

p.o. Box 4, Entebbe, Uganda,

• Former address: E.A. FRESHWATER FISHERIES RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

P.O. Box 343, JINJA, UGANDA

CONTENTS,

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICALt f Growth of Fisheries

Fishing Methods

• Nets

Canoes e CATCH DATA

Methods of Collecting Data

Total Annual Catch and Exports to the Congo

Seine-net Catches

Long Lines

Gill-nets

Annual Catches by Species

PRESENT-DAY FISH PROCESSING AND MARKETING

DISCUSSION

SUMMARY

e ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

REFERENCES

PAGE

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3

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10

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13

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17

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18

~. ""',

13

12~--- TOTAL ANNUAL C II 0----0 EXPORTS TO CON4

10 __.. UGANDAN CONSUMPTIONLIST OF TABLES 9

1. Total annual catch, total weight of fish exported to Congo, and the \I) 8

percentage of exports to total catch 1935-1965 (1962 data not 0 7 available). 0

Q 6

2. Price per ton of cured fish exports paid in the Congo, 1938-196I. I 5 II)

z 4 /3. Annual production (in tons) of the Congo waters of Lake Albert, 0 I1950-1958. 3r­

2 ..... ,.,/4. Total annual catches by seine-nets, and percentages formed by .....-- .........

1these of total annual catch, 1953-1965. ­5. Total annual catches byJong lines, and percentage formed by these 1953 54 55 56

of the total annual catch, 1954-1965. ' tJ ­ FIGURE I.-Annual total catcl6. Approximat~ weight of fish (to nearest ton) caught in gill-nets of various mesh sizes, 1954-1965.

\

7. Percentage of total annual catch by weight caught in gill-nets of various mesh sizes, 1954-1965. N

8. Percentage of total annual catch caught in gill-nets of 2i-inch to TO

1 PAUL 4-inch mesh size, 1954;-1965. F

9. Percentage of total annual catch caught in gill-nets of 4i-inch mesh size and above, and on long lines, 1954-1965.

CONGO ,1" 10. Approximate total weight (to nearest ton) of individual species I

REPUBLIC Ilanded' annually, 1954-1965. I

,I

11. Methods of curing most commonly practised at the main landings. I KILO· /

, MINES," I . ­

at''-- .a::.,BUNIA

'" TO l

STANLEYVILLE l.,LIST OF FIGURES .... ­K-.SENYI

1. Annual total catch, exports to the Congo, and weight of fish e consumed within Uganda, 1953-1965.

2. Map of Lake Albert region showing main fish landings, access if ?:froads to these and main markets of consumption.

V ;, aW-'M~- :'i--"'I/ ) _;i ( WASA R.

I I SEMUKI R. ..._-------,

FORT'fORTAL ""4­LIST OF PLATES , TO LAKES1. A powered Kabalega canoe.

~

GEORGE. AND EDWARD

2. A Congo barque canoe. FIGURE 2.-Map of Lake J

to thes< 3. A traditional dug-out canoe~

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.. - ';;"~

~ ..-~~.'"",,7­' ... -. .: '. I':>._ 1<1'-­

13

12 _ TOTAL ANNUAL CATCH

II 0--0 EXPORTS TO CONGO

10 .... _ .. UGANDAN CONSUMPTION

9 ed to Congo, and the 1965 (1962 data not o o

Q .e Congo, 1938-196l. I

II)Iters of Lake Albert, Z /

, o

-/

I- _A~centages formed by __--r"

tage formed by these 1953 54 55 56 57 1i8 59 1960 61 62 63 64 6S

YEAR :aught in gill-nets of FIGURE I.-Annual total catch, exports to the Congo, and weight of fish consumed

within Uganda, 1953-1965.

:aught in gill-nets of ALBERT NILE

1'.1 TO ARUA

lll-nets of 2i-inch to TO "..}_--PAKWACH7. PAULIS \ t I

F, .-.... _'-, ,/

' .... ,MAHAG1Y"gill-nets of 4i-inch 1 "I.:> ./....-_--A-"'.... (,/-1965. ,,'" ........ 0"

r/ MAHAGI PORT

f individual species CONGO ,J I

REPU BLI C I I

it the main landings. II

I KILO· ~"

I MINES./­, ",

II!' .... - ..:~NIA TO ,I .

STANLEYVILLE L. ", ­

KASENYI KEYmd weight of fish INTERNATIONAL

BOUNDARY

MAIN ROADSsh landings, access ROADS BUILT

m. SINCE 1957 UGANDA RIVERS AND LAKE

•. BWAM~ _, ••/ SHORE I--"'l,.." r·"·i SWASA R. i

\ ' SEMLIKI It ';,;;_----- __ / FORT \PORTAL '..J_,

20MLS..t -- .... ---~TO KAMPALA TO LAKES

GEORGE AND EDWARD

FIGURE 2.-Map of Lake Albert region showing main fish landings, access roads to these and main markets of consumption.

,"

A REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES OF THE UGANDA WATERS OF LAKE ALBERT, EAST AFRICA, 1928-1965/66

INTRODUCTION

Although various surveys and reports have been made on the fisheries of Lake Albert, including the most recent by Holden', since the first major survey by Worthington in 19282, no account has been published of the expansion of the fisheries on a commercial basis since that time.

After its formation in 1920 the Uganda Game Department was responsible for fisheries work in the country, but little work was done until trained officers

a:ere recruited in 1947 as part of the then British Colonial policy. An officer was 'WPosted to Lake Albert in 1949, and there has been a continuous series of records

and observations made on the fisheries since then.

The growing importance of the fishing industry throughout Uganda was marked by the formation of a joint Game and Fisheries Department in 1950, and of a separate, distinct Fisheries Department in July 1961. The fisheries today make a very important contribution to the economy of Uganda, with the 1965 total catch being valued at approximately £250,000 to the fishermen at the landings, and just over £1 million retail value. .

As will be shown later the development of the fisheries was dependent upon and related to improvements in the type of gear and canoes, an increase in the number of canoes and outboard engines in use, improved marketing facilities and better means of road communications. The changes which occurred in the fisheries, and described in this paper mainly from 1953, are reflected in the large increase in annual production in the 12 years up to 1965 when it was over 12,000 tons (Fig. 1).

Earlier records consist of observations and surveys but since 1953 specific data has been collected daily on the fish landed, by weight, number and species, at

~elected fishing villiges. The present figures and Qbservations are based on these.

The main fish landings and villages on Lake Albert, access roads to these and main markets of consumption referred to in the text, are shown in Fig. 2.

HISTORICAL

Growth of the Fisheries

The expansion of the fisheries of Lake Albert proceeded in a similar way, but at a later date and at a faster rate to those of Lake Victoria. Gill-nets were first introduced on Lake Victoria in the Kavirondo Gulf in 1908, when the Uganda Railway first reached Port Elizabeth (later Kisumu)3. By 1928 a flourishing gill-net fishery was in existence, with cured fish being delivered to

1

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I

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places inland. Despite the demand for fish which existed in the 1920's and 1930's in eastern Uganda and western Kenya, and catered for to some extent by the Lake Victoria output', the increase in the Lake Albert fisheries was very slow at this time. Tlie fisheries expanded more rapidly in the late 1940's with the increase in demand which occurred in the Belgian Congo (now Congo Republic) market, and which was associated with the greater use of gill-nets at that time.

At the time of Worthington's survey in 1928, the most abundant species landed was Citharinus citharus (local name--mpoi), and this was the species exploited by an 8-inch mesh gill-net fishery at Kasenyi in the Congo. As a result of his survey Worthington concluded that future gill-net fisheries should be directed at C. citharus, and he further recommended that gill-nets of a mesh size of less than eight inches be prohibited. In the early 1940's large (3,000 metre) beach seines were employed by Greek fishermen from the Congo, the catch going direct to Congo landings. Possibly as a result of this the catches of C. citharus fell to negligible proportions in these years,(after 1942-19434)

and despite the subsequent legal prohibition of these large seine-nets the species has never :egained its ~orrp.er importance. In more n~cent times ~e demand forOt other species of fish 10 western Uganda has proVided fresh Impetus to the expansion of the fisheries, and has offset to a large extent the loss of the Congo market from 1962 to the 'present time.

The market for Lake Albert fish was, and still is, poor in the eastern part of the country where the bigger markets exist. A factor contributing to this was the difference in acceptan€e in various parts of the country of fish cured by varying degrees of salting. Deep-salted fish, a heavily salted product, was always popular in the Congo, and a lighter salted variety, known locally as sun-dried, preferred in Acholi, whilst both forms were acceptable in West Nile, but unacceptable, in eastern Uganda. The more abundant species of Lake Albert, such as Alestes baremose (ngara-this local name includes both A. baremose and A. dentex, but the latter species is rare and seldom caught by fishermen) and Hydrocynus farskahlii (ngassa), possess excessive body fat or are too large a size as in the case of Lotes niloticus albertianus, nile perch (mputa), to be well cured in ways other than by salting. Because of this, salting remains the most common form of curing at the landings. The second smaller nile perch sub­species in Lake Albert, L. niloticus macrophthalmus, is rarely caught as it is a deep-water living form. ~

From the 1920's there was an increase in migrant labour from the more westerly parts of the country to the east along what was then the railways route to the coast. This was followed by an increase in the demand for the Lake Albert salted product in eastern markets, which was due in part to the example set by the newly settled migrant labour from areas where salted fish was acceptable. Garrod3 also noted that a drift in labour after WorId War II from traditionally fish-eating tribes from the shores of Lake Victoria created new markets a,nd a greater demand for fish in outlying areas.

The poor communications with the more accessible parts of the lake shore in the north, and the severe Rift VaJley escarpment cutting off the south-east end -of the lake from the rest of the 'country, also helped to prevent the sale of

..• 2

fish to the east. It wa moved up the escarp reports made in the ea for Lake Albert fish. small"5, and again in : In 1952 92 per cent and the home market Acholi was noted in the high cost of trans demand'.

Prior to 1956 the at Butiaba. The situati of the road from Butial Victoria Nile. This ro.(l through to Paraa via Bt all-weather road to Nto

"was built in 1961 and ( was opened there was OJ

was extremely difficult, fish to the adjacent Bw: of Kibiro, Tonya, Kaiso, to the south-east are sti fish being taken on foot u of fish, however, are takCJ Butiaba, and even as fal better type of canoe now il

With the increase in a seine-net fishery to alm( in the use of seine-nets employing porters to hand relatively cheaper and 11:

number of canoes operati 10 use.

4t Worthington2, in the

seine-net was the only Et 1928. He reported, howe' the previous year. These led to the formation of a At this time one ton of d mines further inland. A y had fallen to half this an due to a migration of fis saw no reason why this sh of stock by overfishing w

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ted in the 1920's and 1930's for to some extent by the ert fisheries was very slow

'n the late 1940's with the ngo (now Congo Republic) se of gill-nets at that time.

the most abundant species , and this was the species

:asenyi in the Congo. As a ture gill-net fisheries should lded that gill-nets of a mesh ~e early 1940's large (3,000 ermen from the Congo, the a result of this the catches ese years (after 1942-19434)

e large seine-nets the species recent times the demand fore ,vided fresh impetus to the extent the loss of the Congo

l is, poor in the eastern part , factor contributing to this of the country of fish cured heavily salted product, was

:d variety, known locally as rere acceptable in West Nile, Ildant species of Lake Albert,

includes both A. baremose ;eldom caught by fishermen) lve body fat or are too large lile perch (mputa), to be well lis, salting remains the most ond smaller nile perch sub­lS, is rarely caught as it is a

grant labour from the more t was then the railways route " 11 the demand for the Lake s due in part to the example lreas where salted fish was lr after WorId War II from Lake Victoria created new

'as.

lsible parts of the lake shore nt cutting off the south-east lelped to prevent the sale of

fish to the east. It was reported in 1950 that small amounts of fish were being moved up the escarpment to Mubende and West NileS. There were several reports made in the early 1950's of the poor and undeveloped market in Uganda for Lake Albert fish. Consumption in 1950 was described as "disappointingly small"S, and again in 1951 the internal market was referred to as "negligible"6. In 1952 92 per cent of the total annual catch was exported"'to the Congo, and the home market was termed "poorly served,,7. A demand for fish in Acholi was noted in 1952, but owing to the poor road communications and the high cost of transport very little fish reached the district to satisfy the demand7.

Prior to 1956 the eastern shore of the lake was accessible by road only at Butiaba. The situation today is vastly improved with the opening in 1956 of the road from Butiaba to Ndandamire a few miles south of the delta of the Victoria Nile. This road was improved in 1965/66 into an all-weather one through to Paraa via Bulisa and the major fishing village of Wanseko. Another all-weather road to Ntoroko, ten miles east of the delta of the Semliki River,

_was built in 1961 and opened up the south end of the lake. Before this road was opened there was only a small landing at nearby Rwengara, from which it was extremely difficult, and often impossible in the wet season, to distribute fish to the adjacent Bwamba District along a poor track. The fishing villages of Kibiro, Tonya, Kaiso, Buhuka and Ndaiga at the foot of the steep escarpment to the south-east are still inaccessible by road, with only small quantities of fish being taken on foot up the escarpment into Bunyoro. Considerable quantities of fish, however, are taken from these villages to the road-heads at Ntoroko and Butiaba, and even as far north as Wanseko, Panyimur and Pakwach by the better type of canoe now in service on the lake.

With the increase in catch the emphasis in the fishery changed from mainly a seine-net fishery to almost totally a gill-net one. This was also due to a decline in the use of seine-nets because of the increasing cost of manufacture and employing porters to handle them. Gill-nets, simple to set by one person, became relatively cheaper and more readily available. There was an increase in the number of canoes operating gill-nets, and an improvement in the type of canoe In use.

Fishing Methods

Worthington2, in the first fisheries study of Lake Albert, observed that the seine-net was the only European fishing gell:r in use along the Uganda shore in 1928. He reported, however, that gill-nets had been introduced at Kasenyi in the previous year. These gill-nets, which were of about 8-inch mesh size, soon led to the formation of a flourishing fishery in the hands of Greeks at Kasenyi. At this time one ton of dried fish per day was being delivered to the KilonlOto mines further inland. A year later at the time of Worthington's survey, supplies had fallen to half this amount. It was suggested that the decline in catch was due to a migration of fish away from the Congo side. Worthington, however, saw no reason why this should have been presumed, and suggested that depletion of stock by overfishing would account for the decline..

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In 1928 the major fishing effort was one of traditional methods, used to provide a subsistence diet to the few inhabitants of the lake shore area. Worthington listed these methods, which included harpooning of the bigger species such as Lates sp., particularly in the lagoon at Butiaba. This method was last reported in 1949, when during one of the periodic, mass mortalities of nile perch, several large, moribund specimens were speared off Butiaba Island. Spearing of fish, particularly the cat-fish Clarias lazera (known as mbissa on Lake Albert, and mali on Lakes Victoria and Kyoga), is still seen today in swamps around Lake Victoria, the Malawa swamps of Lake Kyoga, near Tororo, Lake Salisbury and Lake Rudolf. The use of bows and arrows for spearing the larger species has also been reported on Lake AlbertS. Another item in use at the time was a conical, woven reed basket which was placed over a fish in shallow water, the fish so trapped bei,pg lifted' out through an opening in the top of the basket. Although this method is no longer in use on Lake Albert, it is still in declining use in less advanced fisheries of other areas, e.g. Lake Rudolf.

. Set baskets with non-return entrances, similar to those in use on Lake Victoria9, were also used.. They are still seen today in lagoons as at Butiaba,y, where the small amount of fish caught, mainly Tilapia sp., predominantly T. nilo~ca (ngege), and Clarias sp., provide a subsistence protein diet to local cultivators, with small quantities of the catch being sold in local markets. An arrangement sQmetimes seen >at Butiaba is one where 4-6 baskets are placed with their entrances facing into a cone formed of woven reed and stick fences some 10 feet long and the height of the depth of water, usually 3-4 feet. Long lines, now in Widespread use, were also in use in 1928 for catching Bagrus docmac (semutundu) and Lates sp. A further form of fishing described at the time was hand-lining in the lagoons for Tilapia and other small species, but this was always of minor importance.

Nets

Worthington2, quoting Roscoe1o, showed that the seine-net was probably introduced on the lake before 1919. In 1928 seine-nets were by far the most important method of fishing in Uganda waters, there also being a few 5-inch gill-nets in use at the time. Records show that the seine-net remained the most important gear until the early 1950's. In 1949 there were 102 camps operatingQ, seine-nets, but only 13 camps from which 128 fishermen, some sharing canoes and not employing more than one assistant each, operated gill-netsll• There are no figures available for the catch of that year, but in 1952 an estimated 58 per cent of the total catch was landed by seine-net. In 1954 it was thought that seine-nets still accounted for the "bulk of the landings on the lake"12, but a r~ent reassessment of the catch figures has shown that even earlier than this in 1953 seine-nets accounted for only 27 per cent of the total annual catch. Before the introduction of the nylon gill-net the commonly used nets were the 5-inch nets made of flax aq6 known locally as Sesse nets, 3-inch nets, and 8-inch net:§. made locally from the cord of motor tyres and sisal twine. Short lengths of 16-inch nets are made today from synthetic twine at Wanseko and Ntoroko to catch the larger Lates sp. of up to and over 200 lb.

4

The last year in hunting was 1953, and sadly depleted in most damage to set nets; it , both abound with fish i quite impossible"14. Wil excised from the Toro in the mouths of the impossible to use gill-n tionl5• Nylon gill-nets v Fisheries Department i: against them in water crocodilesl6• Owing to by crocodiles is now 01

Ntoroko.

Imported nylon nel {'. the hand-made nets an ""was estimated that 41 I

nylon nets were not re they were introduced 0

and most are manufactu

No reliable figures during the period unde, were 128 fishermen op often sharing canoes. I although licensing was canoes licensed annual] There were 497 canoes at the extreme north-w rose to 546 and 568 in and 700 in 1956. An ae 845 dug-out and 166 pi

_low at the time. A simi! _ risen to 90 Kabalega,

usual small number of 818 dug-outs and all thl counted on the lake.

The Kabalega cano School in Masindi (no based on the tradition!! however, was designed wider beam, has a dOl frarnesl9• A canoe of now built by a num Masindi. The Congo

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itional methods, used to The last year in which large numbers of crocodiles were destroyed by )f the lake shore area. hunting was 1953, and after this time they were never abundant, "having been lrpooning of the bigger sadly depleted in most areas"13. Until this time crocodiles had caused much utiaba. This method was damage to set nets; it was reported in 1935 that "the Tonya and Kaiso lagoons i mass mortalities of nile both abound with fish in great variety, but the numerous crocodil~'make fishing ~ed off Butiaba Island. quite impossible"14. With the opening-up of-~toroko fishing village in 1955/56, ~a (known as mbissa on excised from the Taro Game Reserve in 1956, crocodiles were locally abundant D, is still seen today in in the mouths of the Wasa and Muzizi rivers and in Ndaiga lagoon. It was .ake Kyoga, near Tororo, impossible to use gill-nets in these areas until trappers had reduced the wpula­I arrows for spearing the tionlS

• Nylon gill-nets were found to be unsuitable on their introduction by the nother item in use at the Fisheries Department in 1952, due to their high cost of replacement counting ~d over a fish in shallow against them in waters where extensive damage was to be expected from 11 opening in the top of crocodilesl6• Owing to the lack of hunting in recent years, damage to set nets ~n Lake Albert, it is still by crocodiles is now once more proving a nuisance in the fishing grounds off 0, e.g. Lake Rudolf. Ntoroko.

Imported nylon nets were again tried in 1954 and this time quickly replaced ) those in use on Lake.. _ the hand-made nets and those manufactured from other materials. In 1955 it 1 lagoons as at Butiaba,. "'was estimated that 41 per cent of the nets in Use were made from nylon17, but'apia sp., predominantly nylon nets were not readily available until 1958, which was at about the timence protein diet to local they were introduced on Lake Victoria3• All present-day nets are nylon-made, :>ld in local markets. An and most are manufactured locally at competitive prices.

4-6 baskets are placed en reed and stick fences

Canoes r, usually 3-4 feet. Long 128 for catching Bagrus No reliable figures are available for the number of canoes in use on the lake fishing described at the during the period under review. In a survey conducted in 1949; however, there

.er small species, but this were 128 fishermen operating gill-nets with not more than one assistant and often sharing canoes. Licensing of canoes first started in August 195018, and although licensing was never complete in anyone year the large number of canoes licensed annually reflected the trends in the total number operating. There were 497 canoes licensed in 1951, which were in use south of Panyigoro at the extreme north-west end of the lake. Canoes licensed on the lake proper

seine-net was probably rose to 546 and 568 in 1952 and 1953 respectively, to 600 in 1954, 659 in 1955,

:s were by far the most and 700 in 1956. An aerial survey of the lake and Albert Nile in 1960 revealed also being a few 5-inch

845 dug-out and 166 planked canoes, these figures being considered 10 per cente-net remained the most A low at the time. A similar survey of this area in 1966 showed that numbers had ere 102 camps operating~

~ 'risen to 90 Kabalega, 178 Congo barque and 1,235 dug-out canoes, with the en, some sharing canoes usual small number of Sesse canoes. Of the total number of canoes recorded, erated gill-netsll . There 818 dug-outs and all the planked canoes, except for six on the Albert Nile, were 1t in 1952 an estimated counted on the lake. In 1954 it was thought

lings on the lake"12, but The Kabalega canoe (Plate 1), named after the former Kabalega Technical School in Masindi (now transferred to Kichwamba outside Fort Portal), isat even earlier than this

the total annual catch. based on the traditional planked Sesse canoe of Lake Victoria. The Kabalega, nmonly used nets were however, was designed for outboard motor propulsion and is built with a much ;e nets, 3-inch nets, and wider beam, has a double chine, and the planks are copper-fastened on sawn • and sisal twine. Short frames19, A canoe of this description was first built in 1955, and they are : twine at Wanseko and now built by a number of progressive, trained boat-builders at Wanseko and 10 lb. Masindi. The Congo barque canoe (Plate 2) is a planked, flat-bottomed vessel

5

PLATE i.-A powered Kabalega canoe at Wanseko, with West Nile escarpment in background.

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PLATE 2.-,--A Congo barque canoe.

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.-A traditional d .,PLATE 3 ug-out canoe.

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fastened with iron nails, about 15-20 feet long, and was first sold to Uganda fishennen from Kasenyi for Shs. 300 to Shs. 400. This type of canoe soon proved popular ~s it was better suited to the rough conditions often encountered on the lake than a dug-out, and is far cheaper than a Kabalega or imported Sesse canoe. They are made today by itinerant carpenters at various points along the lake shore for Shs. 1,000 or more. The Sesse canoe was in use in the early 1950's by a colony of Baganda fishermen at Kibiro, but in early 1965 only a very small number were recorded in a few villages. The Sesse is sometimes made along the lake shore from local materials, and a canoe is imported occasionally from Lake Victoria. Soon after the introduction of the Kabalega canoe a 16-20 feet craft modelled after English west-country inshore fishing vessels was introduced as a product of the boat-building course at Kabalega Technical School. Although these craft were in many ways better suited for the lake, they have not yet proved popular.

The replacement of the dug-out (Plate 3) by more advanced canoes was at first slow, but with the existence of finns turning out several planked canoes per year, and the fact tql(t no more dug-outs have been made around the lakel'" since 1963, the process should now be more rapid. A few dug-outs are still. built today in West Nile as at Rhino Camp, and at places a considerable distance from the river towards' AriIa for Shs. 600 to Shs. 1,000. The average cost of a dug-out in 1953 was Shs. 4302°. The large trees suitable for dug-out manufacture are now difficult to obtain, and as a consequence fewer dug-outs are being made.

'CATCH DATA

Methods of Collecting Data

The collection of data consisted initially of a daily count of the numbers of individual species in samples of known length and mesh size. The data collected in each year was then used to estimate the relative proportions, by number, of the species landed. In 1955 the number of fish-guards employed at the landing stations was increased, making possible the introduction of more refined techniques of catch analysis. These included weighing the fish from a large representative sample of nets and a greater coverage of the landings. It was then possible, using summarised daily data of percentage weight and abundance of the fish in the samples, to derive estimates of the total weight of each species landed from the total annual catch figure. The total annual catch~

was estimated from Customs' returns of cured fish exported to the Congo," mainly though Kasenyi and Mahagi Port, and which at one time involved the bulk of the catch. Reports from field staff and market surveys from time to time were used to estimate the remainder of the catch consumed within Uganda. The figures from 1955 relate to the total catch from the lake and Albert Nile to the border with Sudan at Nimule. The data in Tables 1-11 has been derived from records prepared from figures collected in the field and brought together in the I--ake Albert Regional Fisheries Office, Masindi, and in annual reports, both published and unpublished. Whilst the data is open to error and is incomplete in places, as detailed by HoldenI, the trends shown by the figures from year to year are clear, and pr~.ably give a reliable comparative assessment of the annual state of the fisheries and the major annual fluctuations in catch.

,.' 6

Unfortunately, th~

landings were mislaid, l

estimates of the catch. ]

In the following ~

used to express the rati the fish is landed fresh.

Total AI

I I Table 1 shows that

weight of cured fish ~

remained steady from 1~

annual export of 6,200 tl

A factor which con an increase in the nun propulsion facilitated ea

~atch was sold mainly to of exports to Mahagi PI service. The increase in increase in the number 1953 there were no out by early 1956 and in I' number had risen to 3( at 100, which whilst no movement of fish from t villages. The earlier moto the lake shore to places v also in 1955 and 1956 tha more fishennen started t

the all-time high prices I that, other than for 195, prices from 1938 to 196 increasing exports in these

The increasing deml .tor production from ConI .section chasse at peche:

I figures given in Table 3 available there was a stell figures were collected on fisheries at Kasenyi and the catch from the indig4 figures, however, probabl: waters associated with the

After 1959 there WI

negligible proportions re4 exports in 1965. Exports commenced once again a

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first sold to Uganda type of canoe soon

ons often encountered ~abalega or imported ;ers at various ,points moe was in use in the ro, but in early 1965 :be Sesse is sometimes a canoe is imported :tion of the Kabalega mntry inshore fishing g course at Kabalega rays better suited for

Ivanced canoes was at everal planked canoes made around the lakeA :ew dug-outs are still"" I considerable distance The average cost of a dug-out manufacture

[-outs are being made.

:ount of the numbers mesh size. The data lative proportions, by fish-guards employed introduction of more ighing the fish from rage of the landings. ~rcentage weight and [)f the total weight of he total annual catchA lorted to the Congo,V me time involved the mrveys from time to umed within Uganda. lake and Albert Nile -11 has been derived md brought together Id in annual reports, Jen to error and is ihown by the figures mparative assessment fluctuations in catch.

".c

Unfortunately, the collected, daily, statistical 'returns for 1962 from the landings were mislaid, and the data for that year was never worked up'" into final estimates of the catch. In all Tables, therefore, tIre 1962 data have been omitted.

In the following Tables a convenient conversion factor of 1: 3 has been used to express the ratio of the weight of cured fish to its wet weight, as wh,en the fish is landedfresh.'

Total Annual Catch and Exports to the Congo

I, Table 1 shows that from 1935 to 1942 there was a gradual increase in the weight of cured fish exported to the Congo. The weight of exports then remained steady from 1942 to 1955, when there was a sharp rise to a maximum annual export of 6,200 tons in 1959, a year before Congo attained independence.

A factor which contributed to the marked increase in exports in 1956 was an increase in the number of outboard motors in use at the time. Motor propulsion facilitated easier and quicker exports to Mahagi Port, where the

_atch was sold mainly to Greek wholesale buyers. Before this time the majority of exports to Mahagi Port was taken by the lake steamer on its twice a week service. The increase in the number of outboard motors was related to the increase in the number of the heavier, planked canoes coming into use. In 1953 there were no outboard motors employed in the fishing industry, but by early 1956 and in 1957 there were seven motors and by June 1958, the number had risen to 3021• The present number in use has been estimated at 100, which whilst no longer used in the export of fish do facilitate the movement of fish from the more inaccessible landings to the main road-head villages. The earlier motors were also used for this 'purpose, moving fish along the lake shore to places where the highest prices prevailed at the time21• It was also in 1955 and 1956 that more canoes were brought into Use (see earlier), and more fishennen started exporting their catches to the Congo in response to the all-time high prices prevailing there at the time (Table 2). Table 2 shows that, other than for 1952 and 1955, there was almost a proportional rise in prices from 1938 to '1960, and which probably added to the momentum of increasing exports in these years.

I

The increasing demand in the Congo in the J 950's is shown by figures _or production from Congo waters, compiled by the "Service des eaux et forets ~section chasse at peche)" of the Congo in 195922• The annual production

figures given in Table 3 show that in the nine years for which records are available there was a steady increase to a maximum in 1957. These production figures were collected only from returns submitted by the large Greek-owned fisheries at Kasenyi and Mahagi Port. The Belgians never attempted to assess the catch from the indigenous African fishery. The rising trend shown by the figures, however, probably reflects the growth in total production from Congo waters associated with the demand during these years.

After 1959 there was a decrease in the weight of fish exported to the negligible proportions recorded in 1963 and 1964, and the complete lack of exports in 1965. Exports of dried, salted fish, mainly Tilapia sp., 'and Lates sp., commenced once again at the beginning of 1966 from the south end of the

7

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" ­:' ,., • . :.~ "',. ,~ _ , _ ~;.::,: ~ <If·· .

, ~ • '" ~.>;;. - -"-~

i

._~""~,_.

lake in the hands of licensed buyers. There is every indication that exports will exceed 2,000 tons (wet weight) in 1966 if the present rate of buying for the Congo market is maintained.

Year

Before the maximum export level to the Congo was attained in 1959 there was an overall' increase in the total annual catch in Uganda waters in 1957 (Table 1). Although the weight of fish exported still increased after 1957,

1945 1946

there was a decline in the percentage which the exports formed of the total 1947 1948

annual catch (Table 1). The faster rate of increase of total catch than that of 1949 exports was due to an increasing demand in Uganda, particularly in West 1950

1951Nile and Acholi. The relatively high annual production for 1957 compared 1952

1953with that of 1956 was also due to the sale of fish in West Nile and Acholi, 1954

and annual production from the Albert Nile, being assessed accurately for 1955 the first time23• Prior to 1957 Ugandan consumption had not been well 1956

1957 documented, and there is reason to believe, therefore, that total production 1958 was not quite so low as shown by the records for the two or three years 1959

1960 before 1957. 1961

19632tl e 1964In his report of a ma~ket survey in the area in (957/58, Crutchfidd1965

recommended that holding stores should be built at Wanseko, Panyimur and Arua to encourage the distribution of cured fish in West Nile. These stores which

Total annua were eventually constructed between 1960 and 1962, led directly to increased the percentage sales in West Nile, and formed the basis of present-day wholesale marketing available).

as distribution points, particularly from Arua.

The increase in consumption of fish in the districts adjacent to Lake Albert continues at the present thne, and fortunately for the fishing industry, has fully compensated for the loss of the Congo market since 1962. Table 1 shows that the total catch in 1964 was only 3,308 tons less than the maximum catch of 1959, despite exports being as much as 5,200 tons lower, whilst in 1965 Year

when no fish were exported, the total catch was only 1,000 tons lower than 1938 in 1959. Although the maximum weight of fish was exported in 1959, the 1939

1940highest proportion of the catch was exported in 1956, indicating that consumption 1941 in Uganda started increasing in the latter year (Fig. 1). Finally, consumption 1942

1943in Uganda has risen eleven-fold in the decade since 1955. 1944

1945

TABLE 1 ~/ e Price per ton

Total Total Percentage Year Annual Weight to of Catch

Catch Congo exported J

Tons Tons 1935 · . ·. Not known 6 1936 · . · . 0

" t1937 ·. ·. 0 1938 12 1939 · . · . 195

·. · . " " " 1940 · . ·. 1,200 642

1941 Not known 1,116· . · . .J: 1942 .. · . 1,407 Annual Production 1'1,794

1943 · . ·. " 1,266" 1944 1,875· . · . " Annual productionj

8 .,>

t· ... ~~~~ .. '0\, ~~ Ia.••.~

~·Vf·

;~~.

'-~ .......- - ~,'"''''E- . ~: '."'4''4.~'''.''" .."....... ,V"'!t"_ .~,.:- :~~., 't ~;.;,~~ ......

"... ., .' ~3£ "-' ~~ W ,

1950

'. ~~

or . ~Jrtf" .,;..~; .~,~~• :#'I" ;.-... ':;. ':-:'"\ r...:...... . ~tr ..;0 .

.­•

indication that exports resent rate of buying for

as attained in 1959 there Year

TABLE 1---eontinued

Total Total Annual W~ht to Catch <;: ngo

Percentage of Catch exported'

~.,

Uganda water.s in 1957 stilI increased after 1957, cports fonned of the total [)f total catch than that of nda, particularly in West lction for 1957 compared in West Nile and Acholi, 19 assessed accurately for ltion had not been well ore, that total production r the two or three years

in 1957/58, Crutchfieldz.f : Wanseko, Panyimur and st Nile. These stores which , led directly to increased t-day wholesale marketing

Total annual catch, total weight of fish exported to Congo, and the percentage of exports to total catch, 1935-1965 (1962 data not available).

Tons Tons 1945 .. · . Not known 1,782 1946 ·. ·. "

1,566 1947 .. · . "

1,344 1948 · . · . "

1,563 1949 ·. · . "

2,781 1950 .. ..

" 2,448

1951 · . .. "

3,384 1952 .. ..

3;000 2,127

1953 · . · . 2,097 69·9 1954 · . .. 3,500 2,100 60·0 1955 .. · . 4,245 2,745 64·7 1956 .. .. 7,766 5,466 70·4 1957 · . · . 10,348 5,358 51'8 1958 .. .. 10,989 4,389 39·9 1959 .. ·. 13,350 6,200 46·4 1960 .. · . 12,300 4,511 36·7 1961 ·. .. 11,878 4,928 41·5 1963 · . · . 10,268 150 1·5 1964 .. .. 10,042 1,000 10·0 1965 · . · . 12,032 Nil Nil

ts adjacent to Lake Albert the fishing industry, has

;ince 1962. Table 1 shows 'than the maximum catch

TABLE 2 . ms lower, whilst in 1965 aIy 1,000 tons lower than as exported in 1959, the ldicating that consumption

1). Finally, consumption 5.

Year £'s Year £'s Year £'s

1938 · . 21 1946 · . 45 1954 ,0 85 1939 · . 23 1947 ·. 74 1955

• 0 108

1940 · . 23 1948 .. 63 1956 · . 96 1941 · . 28 1949 o. 65 1957 00 78 1942 .. 36 1950 · . 65 1958 · . 79 1943 ·. 53 1951 · . 77 1959 · . 61 1944 · . 47 1952 · . 112 1960 · . 91 1945 .. 57 1953 ·. 89 .1961 · . 60 .

"!"

Price per ton of cured fish exports paid in the Congo, 1938-1961. Percentage

of Catch exported

J t TABLE 3

Annual Production

1950.~1951

1,794 • 2,500

1952

1,240

1953

4,092

1954

6,167

1955

7,770

1956

8,943

1957

11,674

1958

9,061

Annual production (in tons) of the Congo waters of Lake Albe~t. 1.950-1958.' .. ....­

9

.':.. ­. i ~'i

~.::,~..,'d~...:~.~....:~·,.:~~f:&M

Seine-net catches There was no incr, a.s a whole, as is showTable 4 shows that the maximum catch from seine-nets was landed in of this gear formed of t 1957, but since then there has been a marked decrease in the weight of fish relatively large increase landed by this gear. After being the most important gear for over 20 years tons of the catch consistthe annual catch from seine-nets was still good in 1951, but was beginning catch of nne perch in IIto decline25• Although it was recorded in 1954 that seine-net catches formed was related to an incnthe bulk of all landingsJ2, Table 4 shows that only one-quarter of the total of this species..annual catch was in fact landed by this gear. Although the annual catch by

the gear increased by 23·4 per cent between 1955 and 1956, the percentage which the seine-net catch formed of total annual catch still fell by 12·5 per cent (Table 4). This was because of the relatively large increase in gill-net catches of 1956 over those of 1955 (Table 6).

TABLE 4 1954 1955

Annual Percentage 1956 Year catch by of total- 1957

seine-nets annual catch 1958 1959t. eTons 1960

1953 ·. 566 27·0 1961·.1954 . 879 25·1 1963· ·.1955 · . · . 1,630 38·4 1964 1956 2,011 25'9 1965·. ·.1957 ·. .. 3,425 33·1 1958 .. 2,055 18·7·.1959 · . ·. 2,163 16·2 Total 1960 ·. · . 2,534 20·6 ages fOri

1961 ·; ·. 1,069 9·0 1954-19/ 1963 216 2·1·. ·.1964 ·. ·. 341 3·4 1965 · . .. 241 2·0

Prior to 1963, data fr Total annual catches by seine-nets, and percentage to 8-inch mesh size nets

fonned by these of total annual catch, 1953-1965. in Tables 6 and 7 the in

The increasing catch by seine-nets continued until the maximwn catch shown is due to a Changf from the gear in 1957 (Table 4) which accounted for one-third of the total change in the mesh'sizes of annual catch of that year. There has been a marked decline in catches from this time to the minimum catch of 1965. The low catches after 1961 were caused by a reduction in the number of seine-nets in use, the nwnber being

1954 I 1955,reduced to four in 1964. This was due to the flooding of the beaches suitable ~eshsize

for seining by a rise in lake level, which started with the heavy rains of 196., W(inches)­18 ..Towards the end of 1965 the water level had fallen by several feet, and the ~

16number of seine-nets in use on the uncovered beaches rose to twelve. The 12 increase in number of seine-nets in 1965, however, occurred too late in the 9 630 I 687

8 469 399 year to have produced an increase in catch over that of 1964. 7

6

Long lines 5 '357"1437 41

'-'--1­Other than for a high catch in 1957, and a relatively low one in 1963, 4the l~vel of long line catches has remained fairly constant over the last twelve 31

707 I 475years." The previous stability in the long line fishery is' shown in a report in 3 21

1951 that the "quality" of the catch had not fallen off since the time of Worthington's survey6. ''',' Approximate weight of fish (tc

.. 10~

.. ~ .

oil . - . .:-~~

...... ~, ~ ... .~~ ~ ~~ .•.. , .-' ..,- .,' t·;"··· -'

-. ~.: .. :~~-1."..•.k. . ',. • ' .' '.-..:...:.Ji

----- --

---- ----------------

'~.' ~~ . :~-;'Jr'i~ ~~: '''»~.'' .reo .......~ . "I. .:~

. '.,;. ---' .

There was no increase in long lining with the expansion of the fisheries whole, is shown by the decrease in the percentage which the catch e-nets was landed in ~s a as

of this gear formed of the total annual catch (Table 5). There was, however, ain the weight of fish relatively large increase in the long line catch in 1965, when a little over 500ear for over 20 years tons of the catch consisted of nile perch. Table 10 shows that the total annual1, but was beginning catch of nHe perch in all gears was three timesrpore than in 1964, ~d thise-net. catches formed was related to an increased demand in' West Nile for heavily-salted slicesne-quarter of the total of this species. :h the annual catch by

TABLE 5:6, the percentage which by 12·5 per cent (Table

Annual Percentagegill-net catches of 1956 Year catch by of total long lines annual catch

Tons 1954 459 13·1 1955 616 14·5

ltage 1956 544 7·0,tal 1957 1,190 11'5 catch 1958 396 3·6

1959 587 4·4f 1960 504- 4·1 '0 1961 451 3·8 ·1 1963 205 2·0·4 1964- 392 3·9 '9 1965 650 5·4 '1 '7 -2 Total annual cBtches by long lines, and percent­·6 ages formed by these of the total annual catch, ·0 1954-1965. ·1 ·4 o Gill-nets

Prior to 1963, data from 2!-inch to 4-inch, 4!-inch and 5-incll, and 6-inch :entage to 8-inch mesh size nets were grouped together under three headings. Thus1-1965.

in Tables 6 and 7 the increase in the number of nets of various mesh sizes, ,ltil the maximum catch shown is due to a change in the form of tabulating the data, and not to any

one-third of the total r change in the mesh 'sizes of nets in actual use in the fisheries. decline in catches from :atehes after 1961 were TABLE 6

use, the number being . of the beaches suitable 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965

esh size ------------- ­the heavy rains of 196~ (inches)­by several feet, and the 18 ., - .- '- - - - - - - - 48

16 ., - - - - - - - - - 211 650les rose to twelve. The 12 .. - - - - - - ., - - - - 72 <:curred too late in the 9 ., 630 687 699 10 66 40 25 404 - 5 24

8 ., 469 399 854 1.159 1,165 654 480 915 62 8 1264. 7 ·. - - - - - - - - 10 10 36 6 · . - - - - - - - - 5 30 ­

~

5 .. 357 437 1,429 993 1,780 2.176 1,316 1,105 41 171 12 - - - - - - 82 171 2654* · . - ­

tively low one in 1963, ----------------- --- ­4 ·. - - - - - - - - 133 110 180

ant ove'r the last twelve - 21 3 1231 ·. - - - - - - ­5 shown in a report in 3 ·. 707 475 2;229 3,570 5,529 7,730 7,442 7,931 8,625 6,387 7,327

21 · . - - - - - - - - 914- 2,209 2,503off since the time of

Approximate weight of fish (to nearest ton) caught in gill.nets of various mesh sizes, 1954-1965.

11

'T¥.~:-'" -;.;_~ . .. , ~ '" " .;. ", ~ "'I. "

-''t~". •

'

i

----------------------

----------------------

If each group of gill-nets in Table 6 is considered asa whole, the general trends in the fishery over the time the data was recorded may be noted. There was a very marked increase in the total weight of fish landed in the 2!-inch to 4-inch group of nets in the twelve years of the Table. There was a marked decrease in the catch of the 4!-inch arid 5-inch nets, and a lesser decrease in the larger size nets. These changes are better shown when the weight of fish landed per year from the various mesh sizes of gill-nets is expressed as a percentage of the total annual catch of all gears, as in Table 7.

TABLE 7

1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 Mesh size -----~'---------------- ­

(inches)­ . 18 - - - - - - - - - - 0·4· . 16 ·. - - - - - - - - - 2·1 5·4 12 · . - - - - - - - - - - 0·6 9 · . 18·0 16·1 9·0 0·1 0·6 0·3 0·2 3·4 - 0·1 0·2 8 13·4 9·4 11·0 11·2 10·6 4·9 3·9 7·7 0·6 0·1 0·1· . 7 - - - - - - - 0·1 0·1 0·3 6 - - - - - - 0·1 0·3 ­· . - ­

5 ·. 10·1 10·3 18·4 9·6 16·2 16·3 10·7 9·3 0·4 1·7 0·1

· . - t/ 4! · . - - - - - - - - 0·8 1·7 2·2

· . .....>..4 - - - - - - - 1·3 1·0 1·5 3! · . - - - - - - - - 0·3 - 0·1 3 · . 28·7 34·5 50·3 57·9 60'5 66·8 84·0 63·0 60·9 2! · . . 2~211~2 - - - - - - 8·9 22·0 20·8

Percentage of total annual catch by weight caught in gill-nets of various mesh sizes, 1954-1965.

The main reason for the change in emphasis from the larger to the smaller size group of nets was the change in preference of kind of fish, and form of curing accepted, which occurred with the change in the main market from the Congo to Uganda. The most acceptable fish to the Congo market were those which had been heavily salted, particularly slices from nile perch caught in the larger mesh size nets. When Uganda began to take the majority of the catch, between 1956 and 1958, it was found that heavily-salted fish in general were not acceptable in Acholi and Bunyoro, but lightly salted or sun-dried Alestes baremose and Hydmcynus forskahlii were well favoured in all districts. These species are small in size, between 26 em. and 59 em. i_c,

length26, and are selected for by the group of nets of smaller mesh size~

Consequently, as the demand increased for these smaller species, a greater number of the smaller mesh size nets were used. With the change-over from the larger to the smaller nets there was a percentage increase in the weight of fish"caught in the smaller nets from year to year (Table 8). .

The decrease in weight of fish caught in the 4!-inch and 5-inch nets was probably due to a decline in the. catch of Tilapia sp., and of other species of similar size caught in these ne~.{Table 10).

The ihcrease in percentage catch shown for the smaller nets in Table 8 is reflected in the decrease in percentage weight of fish caught in nets of 4!-inch mesh size and larger, and on long lines, Table 9.

12

Year 1954 1955 19 % 20·2 1l·2 28

Percentage of total annu: 1954-1965.

Year 1954 1955 19 % 54·7 50·1 45

Percentage of total annUl and on long lines, 1954-196

When the Congo m2 sold in bulk to estates, handle larger portions of was and still is done on family meal (noted also b the larger mesh size netJ

AJerch, to cater for the d .uperseded by the smalle

cater for the demand in factor which contributed thefts at the time, the s the fishermen. The effect decline of the Labeo vic Victoria, where the 0081 fishery27.

When the figures for species landed annually baY'emose) has been incre 1954 this species formed species formed almost 5( it formed 81'3 per cent that Lates sp. after reac level in 1963 and 1964, bl

_965. It was in 1965 whc Nile improved.

The figures for Lab. species were landed up t< the following years. M. maximum catch of Syno« followed .by a decrease in

As described earlier the intense fishing by se 1954 the annual catch with only nine tons land however, may also be a

- --------

---

..'" ....

. ~.'."-l: •• "t;.' ...,.

ed as a whole, the general rded may be noted. There fish landed in the 2i--inch able. There was a marked , and a lesser' "decrease in

It'n when the weight of fish gill-nets is expressed as a

Table 7.

960 11961 11963 1964 1965

0·4 2·1 5'4

0·6

~:~ 1 ~:j 1 0.-61 g:l g:i - I - 0·1 0·1 1 0'3f' - - 0·1 0·3 ­-,------- ­0·7 9·3 0·4 1·7 0·1

0·8 1·7 2·2

1·3 1·0 1'5 0·3 0·1

0·5 66·8 84·0 63·0 60·9 8·9 22·0 20·8

of various mesh sizes, 1954-1965.

'om the larger to the smaller f kind of fish, and form of

in the main market from to the Congo market were ices from nile perch caught an to take the majority of

that heavily-salted fish in y-oro, but lightly salted or rzhlii were well favoured in een 26 cm. and 59 cm. iIA nets of smaller mesh size~

smaller species, a greater With the change-over from ~e increase in the weight of e 8).

fi--inch and 5-inch nets. was >p., and of other species of

he smaller nets in Table 8 sh caught in nets of 4i--inch

TABLE 8

Year... 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 % 20·2 1l·2 28·7 34·5 50·3 57·9 60·5 66·8 93·9

4"

86·8 83·3

Percentage of total annual catch caught in gill-nets of 2!-inch to 4-inch mesh size 1954-1965.

TABLE 9

Year... 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 % 54·7 50·1 45·4 32·5 31·0 26·0 18·9 24·3 4·0 9·8 14·7

Percentage of total annual catch caugth in gill-nets of 4!-inch mesh size and above, and on long lines, 1954-1965.

When the Congo market was at its peak most of the fish exported was sold in bulk to estates, mines and institutional organisations, which could handle larger portions of fish as cut from nile perch. Also, buying in Uganda was and still is done on the basis of individual fish of a size suitable for a family meal (noted also by Garrod3). When the Congo market was flourishing the larger mesh size nets were used for the larger species, particularly nile

aerch, to cater for the demand described above. These nets were eventually ~uperseded by the smaller mesh sizes for smaller species (Tables 8 and 9) to

cater for the demand in Uganda when the Congo market collapsed. Another factor which contributed to this change-over was the high incidence of net thefts at the time, the smaller nets involving a lower capital investment by the fishermen. The effect of net thefts on a fishery has also been noted in the decline of the Labeo victorianus (ningu) fishery of the Nzoia River of Lake Victoria, where the cost of replacing nets caused fishermen to leave the fishery27.

Annual Catch by Species

When the figures for total catch are broken down to weight of individual species landed annually it is seen that the weight of Alestes sp. (mainly A. bar'emose) has been increasing steadily up to the present time (T.able 10). In 1954 this species formed only 15·1 per cent of the 'total catch, in 1959 the species formed a.lmost 50'0 per cent of the catch, whilst in 1964 and 1965 it formed 81·3 per cent and 60·9 per cent respec~ively. Table 10 shows also that Lates sp. after reaching a maximum catch in 1960 decreased to a low level in 1963 and 1964, before recovering once more to a relatively high catch in

_965. It was in 1965 when the market for salted slices of this species in West Nile improved.

The figures for Labeo horie (karuka) show that increasing weights of the species were landed up to 1960, which were followed by a decrease in catch in the following years. After an increase in the weight landed annually, the maximum catch of Synodontis schall (wahrindi) occurred in 1959 and this was followed by a decrease in the weight landed up to the present.

As described earlier, the Citharinus citharrus fishery never recovered from the intense fishing by seine-nets in the 1940's. Table 10 shows that even since 1954 the annual catch of the species has been in decline to the present time, with only nine tons landed in 1965. The apparent decline shown by the figures, however, may also be accounted for by a decrease in the number of large mesh

13

.. --3=- ..

~ .. ,,/ ~,"I..: , ' .

..,y<.... ­

c,

:l

----------------------

nets in use, as well as a decrease in actual population numbers of the species. In an attempt to protect the inshore breeding stocks of C. citharos and other species of similar habitat preferences, legislation was introduced in 1950 restricting the maximum length of seine-nets to 250 yards.

TABLE 10

1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1%1 1963 1964 196

Alestes sp. .. 530 169 2,034 2,768 4,585 6,601 6,800 6,715 9,230 8,164 9,41 Lates sp. o. 1,212 1,126 1,775 2,314 1,423 2,625 2,859 2,043 344 526 1,51 Hydrocynus

forskahlii " 148 88 239 1,258 1,294 1,113 595 1,234 271 567 32 Tilapia sp. o. 339 465 854 600 175 592 76 278 242 313 15 Lobeo horie .. - 36 101 158 528 508 223 104 31 82 12 Distichodus sp. 306 386 438 235 387 97 108 171 23 33 8 Clarias lazera 19 11 22 - - 75 25 23 38 138 11 Protopterus

aethiopicus - - - 24 19 - - 8 16 29 MOTmyrus sp. - - - - 119 5 - 27 10 11 1 Synodontis

schall .. 53 59 260 210 662 807 305 15 82 15'56 Citharinus

citharus 287 243 192 24 98 5 33 - 13 26 ~/Bagrus bayad - - - 298 132 360 273 10 22 2-' Aw:henoglanis

occidentalis - - - - - - - - 9 5 Barbus bynni 28 36 258 74 64 - - - 6 8 3 Lobeo coubie - - - 227 - - - 17 3 2 Hydrocynus

'/Iittatus - - 61 - - - - - 2 4 2 Bagrus docmac - - 71 262 150 - 29 10 6 8 3

Approximate total weight (to nearest ton) of individual species landed annually, 1954-1965.

PRESENT·DAY FISH PROCESSING AND MARKETING

Despite ~mprovements in communications and marketing facilities in recent years, which 0 have led to a greater proportion of the annual catch being distributed easily throughout the area, the Lake Albert fisheries may still be considered as one unit. Current practices in the fisheries, such as the methods of curing and the form of marketing, are specific to it and related to the physical, social and economic environment of the area. Two of the most important factors contributing to the fisheries remaining distinct are the salt cure, which is the most common form of curing practised, and the preference for salted fish i~

the area. This virtually restricts the distribution of salted fish to areas adjacenW to the lake, due to its unacceptibility in other parts of the country.

Crutchfield24 suggested that although these regional preferences were the results of conditioning of taste, to species readily available and the traditional forms of curing, they were prejudices which could be broken down easily by lack of the accustomed species, and by re-education. He concluded, however, that these prejudices were still important in any study of the distributive aspect of the industry with a view to expanding the area of marketing of the fish of any lake.

9un-dried and salted fish, mainly Alestes sp. and Hydrocynus sp. which form the bulk of the catch (Table 10), remain in good condition for up to one and two months respectively. The~e forms of curing are therefore suited to, and

14 .,>

form the basis of, prese Hydrocynus sp. and SOl

starting from the tail a then removed, and the fish are stacked open, ( out individually on pap: further 3-4 days for s locally are mai~ly Aleste the salting cure. In Ntor the fish are immersed f( way to give a product S1 from an identical proces discolours rapidly to a ( The relative proportions salted to sun-dried. The cured in this way costilll

.;rhere is no true comp, "ecimens are salted, all(

sun-dried specimens.

Smoking of Tilapia s by shortage of wood sup landings, the cured produ sp. possess excessive bod remaining moist and liml well-cured product, and Jaluo fishermen from the and later at Tanya, a me sp., over hot charcoal to r tional manner. The grillCl This product is now POP' to the main markets in after curing, and retailing

The form of curin preferences of the area in

~ethods of curing most pr

Salting

Panyimur Wanseko Ntoroko

(also by brine bal

Methods of em

,- : ," .!-'~"- ,; , .Qr.. '~' ;t>".~':;~:"

........... .. ". . . .~ ~'.

C'':':;:~-',", :-. ',';'", ,-"~ ..-. "-,-'L:'",,;:~," . , ,:~-:'It",=l.o~·

,-. ," ...-,• ' , ' ,..a. , '-~

~_'.C. ~',. '--.,.:':,..

~

.~.

<', ,,,,. ~., '. JI""'- , ..~,Jr' J ~ -':"~;.;rr. ,.r([. __..~ '.~

,.. -:r ..,. . ,

,'~.~: ." 'tl ~~.,. .•

numbers of the species. form the basis of, present-day marketing. In the salting process the fish, mainly of C. dtharus and other Hydrocynus sp. and some Alestes sp., are cut open along the mid-dorsal line, as introduced in 1950 starting from the tail and cutting forward through the head. The fiscera are

s. then removed, and the exposed flesh liberally 'covered with salt. The treated, fish are stacked open, one on top of the other, 2-3 hours before being laid out individually on papyrus or straw mats, and sometimes raised forms, for a further 3--4 days for an adequate cure. Sun-dried fish as they are nall1ed

~ 1961 1963 1964 1965 - -------- locally are mainly Alestes sp. and are in fact lightly salted when cut open as in 10 6,715 9,230 8,164 9,419 the salting cure. In Ntoroko salting is also done in a strong brine bath, in which ,9 2,043 344 526 1,515

the fish are immersed for three hours before removal and drying in the usual 15 1,234 271 567 321 w.ay to give a product similar to the normal salted product. This method stems '6 278 242 313 153 !3 104 31 82 120 from an identical process popular in Kasenyi15• The brined product, however,

171 23 33 8818 discolours rapidly to a dark shade, and is not popular in Uganda as a result. !5 23 38 138 110 The relative proportions of salt used in the curing is approximately 2: 1 for

8 16 29 6 . salted to sun-dried. The salting process is obviously the more expensive, fish 27 10 11 12 cured in this way costing 5 cents more wholesale than if cured by sun-drying.

)5 156 15 82 150 ~here is no true comparison for Alestes sp., however, as only the smaller

13 - 13 26 9 _ecimens are salted, and which consequently sell for far less than the larger iO 273 10 22 27 sun-dried specimens. - - 9 5 6 - - 6 8 37 Smoking of Tilapia sp., Clarias sp., and Bagrus sp., although now restricted - 17 3 2 4 by shortage of wood supplies in the area, has been done traditionally at most - - 2 4 22 landings, the cured product lasting for 2-3 weeks. Hydrocynus sp., and Alestes ~9 10 6 8 33 sp. possess excessive body fat to be cured adequately in this way, the flesh

remaining moist and limp instead of taking on the dry and hard form of the llanded annually, 1954-1965. well-cured product, and deteriorates within a few days. In 1964, however,

Jaluo fishermen from the Kisumu area of Lake Victoria introduced at Wanseko, rD MARKETING and later at Tonya, a method which involved grilling the fish, 'mainly Al,estes

arketing facilities in recent sp., over hot charcoal to remove excess body fat before smoking in the conven­the annual catch being tional manner. The grilled/smoked product has a marketing life of 2-3 weeks.

bert fisheries may still be This product is now popular, with small quantities being distributed regularly eries, such as the methods to the main markets in Bunyoro, Acholi and West Nile as soon as possible and related to the physical, after curing, and r~ling at about Shs. 1/40 per fish, the most important factors The form of curing carried out at the landings depends upon thehe salt cure, which is the preferences of the area in which the fish is to be distributed. Table 11 gives the eference for salted fish in

eethods of curing most practised at the bigger landings. Ilted fish to areas adjacen_ Ie country.

TABLE 11onal preferences were the ailable and the traditional

Salting Sun-drying Smoking Grillingbe broken down easily by

Panyimur Wanseko All landings WansekoI. He concluded, however, Wanseko Butiaba Tonya

r of the distributive aspect Ntoroko Kibiro (also by brine bath) Tonyaf marketing of the fish of

Kaiso Buhuka Ndaiga:ld Hydrocynus sp. which Ntoroko

l<1 condition for up to one Ire therefore suited to, and Methods of curing most commonly practised at the main la:ndings.

15

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.'

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.

When catches are good at Panyimur and Wanseko the current practice is for wholesale fishmongers to buy only fresh Alestes sp., for sun-drying by porters, paying approximately 40 cents per fish. The wholesalers nearly always buy the larger specimens of this species, which are generally those caught in 3-inch nets. The smaller Alestes sp., caught in the 21-inch nets, and Hydrocynus sp., caught in 21-inch and 3-inch nets are cured by deep-s.alting by the fishermen themselves, and sold to fishmongers in bundles. Each bundle contains approximately 115 small Hydrocynus sp., or 80 larger specimens, or 95 small Alestes sp. Large nile perch caught at Wanseko and Panyimur .are cured either by wholesalers or fishermen by cutting each fish into approximately six slices, each slice about l-inch thick, which are lightly salted and sun-dried in the usual way. The slices are cut in equal portions of 1 Ib.-2 lb. each, which works out about Shs. 6 per slice at the price the wholesaler pays for the whole fish. The slices are sold for Shs. 12 each to the Alur people in markets mainly in the Okoro area of West Nile.

A very small part of the catch is sold fresh to retail fishmongers for limited distribution around the landings at the following prices: AleS"tes sp., 33-40 cen~_

each; Hydrocynus sp., 25 cents each; Sh. 1 for 4-5 small Tilapia sp., and 20 cents per lb. for nile perch. There is also some movement of fresh fish at times of demand from Wanseko to Panyimur, when big Alestes sp. bought for 40 cents each are sold at Panyimur for 60 cents each fo-r salting. Again depending on the demand which varies with the availability of money during the cash crop picking seasons, sun-dried Alestes sp. sell to the public for Sh. 1 to Sh. 1/50.

At Ntoroko the fishermen and their porters cure the total catch, most of the cured fish being sold to ~bout ten wholesalers from nearby Bwamba. The wholesalers take the fish to Bundibugyio for further sale and distribution in Bwamba by retail fishmongers. A little of the Ntoroko catch, mainly Tilapia sp., Clarias sp., and Bagrus sp., is smoked for sale in the Fort Portal area, where the main mark'et is for such cured fish from Lakes George and Edward. The catch from the landings between Ntoroko and Wanseko is nearly all sun-dried by the fishermen and is taken by them, or by wholesalers buying in bulk, by canoe to Wanseko, Panyimur, Pakwach and sometimes Ntoroko, depending on where the demand is creating the highest prices at the time. Some of the fish from these landings is taken by retail fishmongers up the escarpment for sale in Bunyoro; Biseruka being the main market for Tonya fish, Kigorobya for Kibir~':

Kyangwali for Buhuka, and Muhoro for Ndaiga fish. Nearly all the heavily­salted fish from Wanseko and Panyimur is sold to the Lugbara people of West Nile. The Wanseko fish reaches West Nile either through Panyimur and Pakwach, or by road via Paraa and Pakwach. Most of the sun-dried fish of Wanseko is sold in Acholi, but some is sold to the Alur people of West Nile, and a little is taken to Kampala by wholesalers. At times when the Bwamba market is poor, salted fish is brought from Ntoroko for sale in West Nile via Wanseko and Panyimur. In a recent example of this (1965), bundles of salted Hydrocynus sp., approximately 44 lb. each, were bought at Ntoroko for Shs. 12 to Shs. 15 per bundle, resold at Wanseko at Shs. 14 to Shs. 16 and at Panyimur for Shs. 17 to Shs. 25 per bundle, later selling .at Arua market to retail fishmongers at Shs, 25 to Shs. 30 per bundle, and sold to the public at cents 35-40 per fish.

..• 16

The wholesalers .at Pa~

Gulu respectively, where th fishmongers, The retail fishl most of it is distributed in Kaya from Arua, and Kitgt distributed directly from tht retail fishmongers, mainly t] and Gulu in Acholi. Fish is retail fishmongers.

The number of fishmor some indication of the way developed. In 1965 there w€ 643 fishmongers licensed to were 77 fishmongers licensee outside the town, whilst 2' and the towns of Hoima an~

~istriet to fishmongers opera

As a result of a Belg tentative figure of 15,000 to fish from the Uganda watel 1960 came very near this "1 at the time that the fisheri, was carried out to determi estimate the total, sustainab as possible. The .aim of the of that time was to overfisl was necessary to prevent 0'

nets and canoes in use. r

estimate of 11,000 tons tot of the lake in both Ugand delta. It was also estimate ~e Wanseko area is about ~verfishing of Hydrocynus

had been a fall in recruitn Lates sp., Barbus bynni : however, that there had beJ and Clanas lazera, which species.

It is estimated that aj of 4,656 tons landed in 191 baremose. This catch of } the 6,000 tons estimated 1 species fOf the Wanseko fishing the species in the at

-." ­_.L.i,,!,-, . ~~~

seko the current practice is tes sp., for sun-drying by e wholesalers nearly always ~ generally those caught in -inch nets, and Hydrocynus :ep-salting by the fishermen 'so Each bundle contains ger specimens, or 95 small Panyimur .are cured either

to approximately six slices, and sun-dried in the usual lb. each, which works out

IYs for the whole fish. The in markets mainly in the

tail fishmongers for limited es: Alestes sp., 33-40 cen;» ; small TilaJpia sp., and 20 ment of fresh fish at times 'Stes sp. bought for 40 cents 19. Again depending on the ley during the cash crop )lic for Sh. 1 to Sh. 1/50.

ie the total catch, most of rom nearby Bwamba. The ,r sale and distribution in ) catch, mainly Tila~ sp., 'e Fort Portal area, where George and Edward. The ~ko is nearly all sun-dried salers buying in bulk, by :s Ntoroko, depending on le time. Some of the fish the escarpment for sale in sh, Kigorobya for Ribir~ I. Nearly all the heavily-Lugbara people of West

1. Panyimur and Pakwach dried fish of Wanseko i~ f West Nile, and a little Bw.amb~ market is poor,

: NIle VIa Wanseko and If salted Hydrocynus sp., • Shs. 12 to Shs. 15 per It Panyimur for Shs. 17 to retail fishmongers at t cents 35-40 per fish.

The wholesalers at Panyimur and Wanseko take their fish~.to Arua and Gulu respectively, where the fish is either retailed by them or sold to retail fishmongers. The retail fishmongers sell a little of the fish in the towns, but most of it is distributed in the area by bicycle and bus, through Adumi and Raya from Arua, and Ritgum, Palabek and Patongo from Gulu. Fish is also distributed directly from these landings into West Nile and Acholi by several retail fishmongers, mainly through Parombo, Goli and Paidha in West Nile, and Gulu in Acholi. Fish is also distributed throughout Bunyoro by the smaller retail fishmongers.

The number of fishmongers licensed in the districts around the lake gives some indication of the way in which the distributive side of the industry has developed. In 1965 there were 334 fishmongers licensed in Arua, and a further 643 fishmongers licensed to trade outside the town in West Nile District. There were 77 fishmongers licensed in Gulu, and 335 licensed to sell in Acholi District outside the town, whilst 270 fishmongers were licensed in Bunyoro District ~d the towns of Hoima and Masindi. A further 60 licences were issued in Toro ~istrict to fishmongers operating out of Ntoroko and in Bwamba.

DISCUSSION

As a result of a Belgian survey of Lake Albert from 1952 to 1954 a tentative figure of 15,000 tons was given as the optimum annual, production of fish from the Uganda waters of the lake28• The actual production in 1959 and 1960 came very near this upper limit (Table 1), and there was every indication at the time that the fisheries was still expanding. In 1961 and ,1962 a survey was carried out to determine the potential resources of the lake in order to estimate the total, sustainable annual yield of the Uganda waters as accurately as possible. The .aim of the survey was to determine how near the fishing effort of that time was to overfishing the stocks, and whether !lny further legislation was necessary to prevent overfishing by placing restrictions on the numbers of nets and canoes in 'Use. The conclusions made from the study include an estimate of 11,000 tons total sustainable yield per anrum from the south end of the lake in both Uganda and Congo waters, adjacent to the Semliki River delta. It was also estimated that the sustainable ,yield of Alestes baremose in ~e Wanseko area is about 6,000 tons per year. The data also suggested that ~verfishing of Hydrocynus forskahlii had started at Wanseko,and that there

had been a fall in recruitment of Citharinus sp., Distichodus sp., Labeo hone} Lates sp., Bar-bus bynni and Protopterus aethiopicus. It was also indicated, however, that there had been an increase in recruitment of Bagrus hayad (lanya) and Clarias lazera} which would result eventually in increased catches of these species.

It is estimated that approximately 73 per cent of the estimated total catch of 4,656 tons landed in 1965 at Wanseko and Panyimur was made up of Atestes baremose. This catch of A. baremose of an estimated 3,400 tons is well below the 6,000 tons estimated by Holden i as the maximum sustainable yield for the species for the Wanseko area. There is very little danger, therefore, of over­fishing the species in the area for the moment. Most of the catch from the Uganda

17

-- - .

~. . ,, ­, ...·r~

1< up. ...

waters of the south end of the lake is landed by canoes fishing out of Buhuka, Ndaiga, Ntoroko and Rwengara. It is estimated that the total catch at these four landings in 1965 was approximately 4,000 tons. In view of the figure of 11,000 tons given by Holden as the maximum sustainable yield of Uganda and the Congo waters at the south end of the lake, it appears that even in the event of the Congo w.aters being fished at the same intensity as the Uganda waters there is no danger of overfishing at the moment.

SUMMARY

An historical account is given of the development of the Lake Albert fisheries since Worthington's survey in 1928. It is noted that the development of the fisheries was related to, and dependent upon, improvements in the type of gear and canoes, an incFease in the number of canoes and outboard engines in use, improved marketing facilities and better road ~ommunications. Sum­marised data, collected mainly since 1954, has been analysed and tabulated to show annual exports to the Congo, total annual catches 'and annual catches of.. individual species. A change in the relative abundance of the various species i~

the annual catches 'is described. It is noted that this change was caused by a change-over from large to small mesh size gill-nets, and that it was associated with an increased demand within Uganda for the smaller species of fish, such as Aleste's baremose and Hydrocynus forskahlii.,

A brief description of fish processing and marketing in the Lake Albert region is given, which emphasises the suitability of salt-cured fish to the social and physical environment of the area. Finally, a summary of a recent survey of the potential fish resources of the lake is given in the discussion, and estimates of the 1965 catch at the north and south ends of the lake are comp.ared with the findings of the survey. This showed that there is little danger of overfishing the Alestes baremose stocks of the Wanseko area at the 1965 rate of exploitation of the species, and that the total catch for 1965 at the south end of the lake was well below the estimated annual sustainable yield from the area.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We have been allowed access to much of the data in the course of our work in the Uganda Fisheries Department, and we are grateful to the Minist~l

of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries for permission to collate and publis"'/ the material.

REFERENCES

L HOLDEN, M. J. (1963).-Report on the fisheries of Lake Albert Mimeo., Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft.

2/WORTHINGTON, E. B. (1929).-A report on the fishing survey of Lakes Albert and Kyoga. London, Crown Agents.

3. GARROD, D. J. (1961).-The history of the fishing industry of Lake Victoria, East Africa, in relation to expanjion of marketing. E. Afr. agric. for. J., xxviii. 2, 95-99.

4, UGAND"A GAME AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1952).-Government Printer, Uganda, P. 63.'

18

5. ibid (1950).-P. 73.

6. ibid (1951.)-P. 54.

7. ibid (1962).-P. 60.

8. UGANDA GAME DEPAI Uganda, P. 42.

9. WHITEHEAD, P. J. P. (1 agric. for. J., xxiv. 2, I

10. ROSCOE, J. (1923).-The

11. UGANDA GAME DEPARTM P.46.

12. UGANDA GAME AND FIS ment Printer, Uganda

13. ibid (1954-55).-P. 96.

14. UGANDA GAME DEPARTM _ P.52.

. STONEMAN, J.-Personal

16. UGANDA GAME AND FIS Printer, Uganda, P. f

17. ibid (1955-56).-P. 97.

18. ibid (1950).-P. 70.

19. STONEMAN, J. (1965).­craft in Uganda (FA.

20. UGANDA GAME AND Fls: Printer, Uganda, P. i

21. ibid (1957-58).-P. 57.

22. Anon (1959).-Apercu Sl

Urundi. Bull. agric. ~

23. UGANDA GAME AND FIS ment Printer, Uganda

24. CRUTCHFIELD, J. (1958). Mimeo., F.AD., Ron e UGANDA GAME AND Fls Printer, Uganda, P. 5

26. GREENWOOD, P. H. (195

27. CADWALLADR, D. A. (19 Cyprinidae) fishery 0

indigenous fishing ml xxx. 3, 249-256.

28. STONEMAN, J.-Person

GPUG-P. 307-~~1l-66.

i

oes fishing out of Buhuka, it the total catch at these . In view of the figure of nahle yield of Uganda and appears that even in the

e intensity as the Uganda

ment� of the Lake Albert lted that the development improvements in the type

loeS and outboard engines ld communications. Sum­analysed and tabulated to hes and annual catches o~

e of the various species i.' change was caused by a

and that it was associated laller species of fish, such

eting in the Lake Albert lIt-cured fish to the social rlary of a recent survey of discussion, and estimates

Ike are compared with the :tle danger of overfishing ~ 1965 rate of exploitation he south end of the lake )II} the area.

ita in� the course of our : grateful to the Minis~

}fl to collate and publis'"

~ Albert Mimeo., Fisheries

!lrvey of Lakes Albert and

:try of Lake Victoria, East ~ric. for. ]., xxviii. 2, 95-99.

'port (1952).-Government

~,.

5. ibid (1950).-P. 73.

6. ibid (1951.)-P. 54.

7. ibid (1962).-P. 60.

8.� UGANDA GAME DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1949).-Government Printer, Uganda, P. 42.

9.� WHITEHEAD, P. J. P. (1958).-Indigenous river fishing methods in Kenya. E. Afr. agric. for.]., xxiv. 2, 111-120.

10. ROSCOE, J. (1923).-The Bokitara or Banyoro. Cambridge University Press.

11. UGANDA GAME DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1949).-Government Printer, Uganda, P.46.

12.� UGANDA GAME AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1954-55).-Govern­ment Printer, Uganda, P. 101.

13. ibid (1954-55).-P. 96.

14. UGANDA GAME DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1935).-Government Printer, Uganda, _ P.52.

~. STONEMAN, J.-Personal observation.

16.� UGANDA GAME AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1952).-Govemment Printer, Uganda, P. 61.

17. ibid (1955-56).-P. 97.

18. ibid (1950).-P. 70.

19.� STONEMAN, J. (1965).-Problems affecting the introduction of improved fishing craft in Uganda (F.A.O. Technical meeting on fish(ng boats, Goteburg, 1965).

20.� UGANDA GAME AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (1953).-Government Printer, Uganda, P. 70.

21. ibid (1957-58).-P. 57.

22.� Anon (1959).-Apercu sur la peche hcustre et fluviale au 'Congo beige et au Ruanda Urundi. Bull. agrie. du Congo Beige et du Ruanda Urundi, 50 (6) 1665-1690.

23.� UGANDA GAME AND' FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Re:port (19.57-58).-Govern­ment Printer, Uganda, P. 60.

24. CRUTCHFIELD, J. (1958).-A report on the structure"of fish marketing in Uganda, Mimeo., F.AD., Rome.e UGANDA GAME A.ND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, Annual Report (195l).-Government Printer, Uganda, P. 53.

26. GREENWOOD, P. H. (1958).-The fishes of Uganda. The Uganda Society, Kampala.

27.� CADWALLADR, D. A. (1965).-The decline in the Labeo victorianUS Blgr. (Pisces: Cyprinidae) fishery of Lake Victoria and an associated deterioration in some indigenous fishing methods in the Nzoia River, Kenya. E. Afr. agric. for. ]., xxx.� 3, 249-256.

28. STONEMAN, J.-Personal communication with M. Capart, leader of survey.

GPUG--P.307-'250-11.66.

19

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" .,. ..­ .