Abstract:

This report presents findings of the CAS and Frame surveys conducted in the Edward-George systems in June 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. The report also presents total annual catch estimates for the three water bodies focuses on mainly the Uganda part especially the Lake Edward that is shared by the DRC Congo. Annual estimates indicated that in 2011, Kazinga channel 154.4±45.6 tonnes, Lake Edward
1,385.7±458.9 tonnes, Lake George 2,508.03±562.9 tonnes and in 2012 Kazinga channel was 203.7±40.7 tonnes, Lake Edward 1,711.2±641.8 tonnes and Lake George
2,256.7±323.0. In 2013 Kazinga channel was 755±2.48 tonnes, Lake Edward
3,192±22.21 tonnes and George 5,354±26.58 tonnes. The frame survey revealed that in
2011 Kazinga channel had 58 boats with 100 fishers, Lake Edward 300 boats 684 fishers, Lake George 552 boats with 1,103 fishers. In 2013 Kazinga channel had 99 boats 198 fishers, Lake Edward 469 boats 953 fishers and Lake George 729 boats with 1,576 fishers. This entails you that the open access policy in Uganda has always cause changes in the captures fisheries leading to changes in the fish stock levels. It is anticipated that through the CAS monitoring and Frame surveys should able to give a true picture of the fish production in these water bodies that can be utilized for management purposes.