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Potentials of Lake Kitangiri: Case study of saline lake fisheries in Tanzania

Philemon Nsinda, Hillary Mrosso, Egid katunzi

 Lake Kitangiri is among the saline lakes located in Iramba district of Singida region, Tanzania. The lake has pronounced fisheries, though insufficiently managed and information about the lake are scarcely documented. Attempt to conduct research and document fisheries status of the lake was commissioned to Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Frame survey and catch assessment surveys were conducted along with discussion to gauge participation of the resident fishing communities. Findings shown that the lake had 358 fishers, 179 fishing crafts, gillnets of meshes “2 inches – 3.5 inches”, beach seines, hooks sizes 8 – 9, traps and weirs. Main fish species encountered were Oreochromis niloticus, O.amphimelas, Clarias gariepinus, and Protopterus aethiopicus. Other fish caught occasionally were Labeo victorianus, Schilbe intermedius, and Barbus altinalis. The estimated total annual fish catch was 844.4 tons valued 463,164,853 TZS. Challenges facing the lake resources were identified to be lack of compliance to fisheries laws and regulations, conflicts between livestock keepers and fishermen all of which had policy implications on the lake fisheries management and could be resolved by licensing, strengthening of extension services and establishment of strong networking among the riparian districts.