Conservation Fishing in Lake Victoria: Can Losers be Guardians of Fisheries Resources?

Abstract

This paper analyzes the way in which the Lakeside communities which are victims ofthe transformed fishing industry in Lake Victoria, can also be guardians of the fisheriesresources. The study was conducted in Kishanje and Rubafu villages in Bukoba Rural District. The data was collected from 232 individual respondents and two focus groupdiscussions each comprised 10 participants. The results indicated that communitymembers in the Lakeside communities perceived illegal fishing as non-existingphenomenon among them. What they see is their traditional way of fishing and theongoing conservation campaigns are instituted to infringe upon their life system andalienate them from their bounty Mother Nature. They recognized the fisheriesresources management measures as the means to safeguard the interest of theinvestors. From this understanding, the study revealed that the community membersincluding the leaders entrusted to reinforce the resources management measureswere not in a position to stand against illegal fishing as it was intended by thegovernment. This study, therefore, concludes that, the losers cannot be guardians offisheries resources, unless their socioeconomic needs are taken as part and parcel inthe fisheries resources management plan. Key Words: Illegal fishing, Participatory resources management, Conservation fishing