Fisheries & Aquacultures

The inland fisheries and aquaculture sector provides valuable contributions to achieve the SDG 1 and 2 (Lynch et al., 2017) and is an economically important factor in Eastern Africa, generating income and employment for the fast growing population. The inland fisheries of the African Lakes region contribute more than half of the global commercial inland fisheries catch and aquaculture production in sub-Saharan Africa increased seven-fold in production between 2004 and 2014 (FAO, 2018). Eastern African inland fisheries and aquaculture is largely small-scale for local consumption, delivering both accessible and affordable quality food to vulnerable populations, hence making an important contribution to food security. However, Eastern African inland fisheries and aquaculture are facing major challenges already, such as overfishing, water quality, habitat degradation, invasive species, comprehensive fish catch and production capacity data, climate change and the implementation of coherent policies. At the same time, the sector impairs the integrity of freshwater ecosystems and its services rendered for other societal needs. Increasingly the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is integrated into policies, striving to achieve sustainability by balancing diverse societal needs and preserving possibilities for future generations.