Cast-net fishery on northern portion of Lake Victoria and upper Victoria Nile

Abstract

This project survey on cost-net was conducted at the Northern portion of Lake Victoria and Upper Victoria Nile. The selected fish -Landing sites, where sampling exercises were carried out include: Loco, Jinja pier (covering Lake Victoria) and Railway bridge, New bridge and Kalange (covering upper Victoria Nile).Research was focused on the cast-net design, target commercial fish stocks, impact of cast-net on the fish stocks, mesh-size and techniques ofcast-netting.The research results show that cast-net fishery destroys fish breeding and nursery grounds and other fish ecosystem.The gear targets Oreochromis niloticus and Occassional by catches e.g. Lates niloticus, Mormyrus Kannume Bagrus docmak and Clarias gariepinus.The multi-panel cast-net of mesh-sizes ranging from i (5lmm) to 6' (152mm) were adaptable by fishermen but they mostly caught immature fish.Nevertheless, this gear showed highest efficiency compared to other gears used at the project area.These research results will be useful to researchers, extension workers and Fishenes, students under taking special research or study on this gear.