Abstract:
The Lake Victoria fishery contributes immensely to the
socio-economic development of the riparian states. The
East African Community has designated the lake basin as
an ‘economic growth zone’, with the potential to develop
into a major economic region. The fisheries are vital in
creating employment opportunities, mostly rural-based,
thereby helping to reduce rural-urban migration. Fish is
also a rich source of animal protein for human
consumption and provides raw material (fishmeal) for
processing animal feeds. The fish industry contributes to
GDP and has continued to be an important source of
foreign exchange earned from fish exports. Besides, the
fish industry contributes to the national and local
government revenues through levying of various taxes,
levies and license fees. The sector has also contributed
directly and indirectly to the improvement of physical
infrastructure and social facilities, such as roads, schools
and hospitals, particularly in remote fishing communities.