COUNTRY FILES (Contd.)

CONGO

1. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
(Welcomme, 1979a)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (with a surface area of 341 500 km²) can be divided into four topographical regions:

1. a coastal plain which extends about 60 km inland to the foothills of the Mayombe Mountains;
2. the Niara and Ogouè Valleys of the south-centre lie between mountains;
3. the Bateke Plateau, which serves as watershed to the Ogouè and some of the feeder streams of the Zaire system; and
4. the Zaire Basin, which occupies the whole of the north of the country.

There is some dry savanna in the centre of the country but most of it is covered with dense rain forest.

There is one long rainy season which lasts for eight months of the year and peaks in April and November. The dry season lasts from June to September. Temperatures are even, but reach a minimum during the dry period.

Congo is primarily an agricultural country although it also has a considerable forestry industry.

2. HYDROGRAPHY (see Figure 1)

2.1 Lakes

There are several minor lakes associated with river floodplains (i.e., Lakes Tele, Cayo, Dinga, Nanga). Brazzaville is located on Pool Malebo (Stanley Pool), a lake-like enlargement of the Zaire/Congo River.

2.2 Rivers, Floodplains and Swamps

The Zaire/Congo River forms the frontier between Zaire and Congo for over 500 km of its lower course. The frontier continues for a further 500 km up the Ubangui. The hinterland of these rivers forms a vast marshland (the Cuvette Congolaise) with extensive seasonal savanna floodplains and permanently flooded gallery forests. The area which covers about 30–45 000 km² is drained by the River Sangha, the Likouala and Likouala-aux-Herbes as well as by numerous smaller rivers. Of several smaller coastal rivers, the Kouilou is the largest.

2.3 Reservoirs

There is one impoundment on the Bouenza (tributary of Kouilou) at Moukoukoulou and a second is planned at Sounda on the Kouilou.

2.4 Coastal Lagoons

There are three small lagoons: Conkouati, Loubi and Malonda.

3. FISHERY PRODUCTION/POTENTIAL

3.1 Aquaculture

In 1986, 525 private fish farmers, exploiting 1 454 ponds for a total area of 4 479 ares and production of 45 t/yr, were counted by an FAO/UNDP project. Ten aquaculture centres are managed by the Government with FAO/UNDP assistance. An industrial fish farm is in operation in Brazzaville and produces 15 t Oreochromis niloticus per year (Deceuninck, 1988). In 1987, 115 t Oreochromis niloticus were produced in the whole country (Vincke, 1989, pers. comm.).

3.2 Fish production and per caput supply

Table 1. FISH PRODUCTION AND PER CAPUT SUPPLY - Congo, 1970–1987

¹ Source: FAO
² Source: FAO Fisheries Department, FISHDAB
³ included in “Inland capture” if not specified
⁴ - = data not available
⁵ Vincke, 1989 (pers.comm.)
* Marine exports were: 1980: 850t; 1981: 60 t; 1982: 730 t; 1983: 500 t

3.3 Inland catch range and potential yield

See Table 2.

Table 2. INLAND CATCH RANGE AND POTENTIAL YIELD

* when not specified, included in “other water bodies”
** based on 15–25 kg/ha/yr; see text
*** rough estimate.

4. STATE OF THE FISHERY (mainly after Welcomme, 1979a)

4.1 Yield

There is little doubt that the present catch from Congo is very low, relative to the potential.

4.2 Factors influencing yield

The main fishery is at present concentrated on the extensive floodplains of the Congo Basin (centered around Mossaka, Loukolela and Djoundou), but are fished at a low level because of their inaccessibility and low population densities. Some small coastal lacustrine bodies are in need of environmental rehabilitation.

4.3 Future development possibilities

The potential for increasing catches is very great. The floodplain complex of the Sangha/Likouala/Likouala-aux-Herbes (Cuvette Congolaise) Rivers is one of the most important undeveloped inland fisheries in Africa. The 30–40 000 km² of floodplains are partly savanna and although the gallery forests and flooded rain forests are covered with blackwaters, the savanna plains are flooded by white-waters. Even a conservative estimate of sustainable potential (15–25 kg/ha) gives a yearly catch range of 60–100 000 t. Because of its inaccessibility and the difficulties of operating there, the development of the area may take some time. However, current activities for the creation of pre-cooperative groups and the introduction of new fishing methods promise a rapid development of the sector in the near future.

Fig. 1. HYDROLOGICAL NETWORK OF REPUBLIC OF CONGO
(Stauch, 1963)

5. KEY BIBLIOGRAPHY

Corsi et al., 1980

6. WATER BODIES DIRECTORY

LAKE CAYO

LAKE DINGA

LAKE LOUANDJILI

LAKE LOUFOUALEBA

POOL MALEBO (= STANLEY POOL)
(International water)

LAKE NANGA

LAKE NDEMBO

LAKE TCHIPOUNGA

LAKE TELE

LAKE YOUBI

CONGO/ZAIRE RIVER
(International water)

See also “ZAIRE RIVER” under “ZAIRE” (country) for more detailed data.

KOUILOU RIVER

LIKOUALA RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN

LIKOUALA-AUX-HERBES RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN

Fig. 2. HYDROLOGICAL NETWORK OF CENTRAL BASIN (CUVETTE CONGOLAISE)
(Stauch, 1963)

OGOOUE RIVER
(International water)

SANGHA RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN
(International water)

UBANGI/OUBANGUI RIVER
(International water)

CONKOUATI LAGOON

LOUBI (= DJENO) LAGOON

MALONDA LAGOON

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Corsi, et al., 1980
Deceuninck, 1988
Gosse, 1963; 1968
Matthes, 1964
Meybeck, 1978
Micha, 1973
Stauch, 1963

KENYA

1. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

The surface area of Kenya is 569 250 km². The western and central parts of Kenya consist of highland plateaus which are divided from north to south by the Great Rift Valley. The plateaus are crowned by mountains, of which Mount Kenya (5 200 m) is the highest. The highlands slope downward to the east.

Kenya has a wide range of climates. The north and much of the east of the country are desertic with little rainfall and high temperatures. The highland plateaus have warm temperate climates with two well marked rainy season: February-May and October-December. The coast has a monsoon climate with a prolonged wet season peaking in May.

The highlands of Kenya are used for agriculture, whereas the lowland areas tend to be occupied by pastoral peoples. Large areas of the country have been reserved as game parks and much of the north is desertic and supports only very limited population.

2. HYDROGRAPHY (see Figure 1)

2.1 Lakes (Welcomme, 1979a) (see Table 1)

The major Kenyan lakes fall into two main groups: (a) Lake Victoria; and (b) the Rift Valley lakes. Kenya possesses 69% of Lake Victoria. A considerable portion of this is located in the shallow and productive Kavirondo Gulf. The larger Rift Valley lakes are Lakes Turkana, Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru, Elementeita, Naivasha and Magadi. One small lake, Lake Jipe, lies between Kenya and Tanzania (about half in each country). Many other small lakes are dotted around the country, and there are several on the lower floodplains of the Tana and Sabaki Rivers.

2.2 Rivers, Floodplains and Swamps (Balarin, 1985a; Welcomme, 1979a)

The drainage system of Kenya is largely influenced by the Great Rift Valley and five drainage basins are evident (see Figure 1; Table 2):

Lake Victoria: the Lake Basin is a multi-river basin containing eight rivers of significant size. These rivers drain about 47% of the total of Kenya's runoff, carrying it westward into Lake Victoria. Their catchment comprises the whole of the area west of the Rift Valley, delineated by Mount Elgon in the North.

Rift Valley: an area with its own internal drainage, discharging northwards into Lake Turkana and southwards into Lake Natron, with several sub-drainage rivers and lakes. Although one of the larger catchments, its mean annual runoff is very low.

Athi River: the southern catchment east of the Rift Valley, draining from the central highlands to the Indian Ocean.

Tana River: drains eastward from Mount Kenya to the Indian Ocean; one of the largest rivers with the second highest MAR, 7% of rainfall.

Ewaso Ngiro: the largest but driest catchment in Kenya, it extends from north of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares to empty into the Iorian swamp. In exceptional floods, flows continue into Somalia.

Fig. 1. MAJOR LAKES, RIVERS AND DRAINAGE BASINS IN KENYA
(adapted from: Survey of Kenya, 1970)

Table 1. MORPHOLOGICAL DATA AND USE OF MAJOR LAKES AND RESERVOIRS
(Balarin, 1985a, based on Govt. of Kenya, 1979a; Limiri, pers.comm)

* Numbers refer to Figure 1.
^a i=irrigation; c=commercial/industrial; f=fishery; r=recreation; p=power generation; w=water supply
^b seasonal
^c proposed

The rivers of Kenya fall into two main groups:

1. coastal rivers - the Sabaki (Athi, Galana) River with a broad floodplain in its lower reaches, and the Tana River;

2. rivers flowing into Lake Victoria - of which the Nzoia, Yala and Sio Rivers are the most important.

Several seasonal rivers, such as the Turkwell, drain the western rift wall toward Lake Turkana. FAO/UNDP (1966) estimated a total of about 3 000 km of rivers in the country.

The rivers exhibit seasonal flow patterns characteristic of the peak wet seasons, generally flooding from March to May and from October to December.

Table 2. CATCHMENT AREA AND MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF FOR MAJOR RIVERS AND DRAINAGE BASINS

(Balarin, 1985a, based on: Bhushan, 1982; Govt. of Kenya, 1970; Ongwenyi, 1979; Litterick, 1981; Coche & Balarin, 1982; Survey of Kenya, 1970)

* MAR: Mean Annual Runoff

There are extensive seasonal floodplains and swamps in Kenya which are water-filled during the rainy season for about 3–4 months of the year. The extent of these areas is not known. Similarly, there is a large number of pans and water holes, natural depressions which temporarily store rain runoff.

The groundwater reserves are extensive at an average depth of 78 m below surface. This implies a water table deeper than in most places in Africa. But a large number of shallow wells is also common. There is an extensive domestic water supply network throughout the densely populated areas.

2.3 Reservoirs (see Table 1)

There are four important hydroelectric impoundments on the upper Tana River. Also listed in Table 1 are a number of the larger man-made reservoirs. Those considered are built mainly for hydroelectric power (HEP) schemes or irrigation projects, but there are numerous smaller water storage units dispersed throughout the country (Balarin, 1985a). Welcomme (1979a) suggests over 3 000 farm dams, as reported by Rhodes (FAO/UNDP, 1966).

2.4 Coastal Lagoons

There are several small seasonal lagoons in coastal areas at the mouths of the Tana and Galana Rivers. In addition, large coastal tracts of tidal mangrove swamps exist (combined area of over 12 960 km² estimated by Bell and Canterbery, 1976).

3. FISHERY PRODUCTION/POTENTIAL

3.1 Aquaculture

FAO/UNDP (1966) indicates that in 1965 there were between 12 500 and 22 000 small rural ponds with a combined surface area of between 280 and 500 ha. Most of the ponds were small and many were abandoned. In 1975 official estimates suggest over 28 000 fish ponds ranging from 0.04 to 0.8 ha (Kagai, 1975).

The most recent official statistics (1986 Fisheries Statistical Bulletin, Govt. of Kenya) indicates that fish farming production reached 980 t. A recent FAO re-evaluation (Vincke, pers. comm., 1989) estimates the actual aquaculture production at a lower level: 224 t in 1986, 210 t in 1987. In 1987, 5 t of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), 121 t of tilapia (mainly Oreochromis niloticus), 80 t of trout (Salmo gairdneri) and 4 t of shrimps (Penaeus spp.) were produced.

3.2 Fish production and per caput supply

See Table 3.

Table 3. FISH PRODUCTION AND PER CAPUT SUPPLY - Kenya, 1970–1987

¹ Source: FAO
² Source: FAO, based on: Statistical Bulletin, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Govt. of Kenya.
Note: FAO Yearbook, Fishery Statistics, Vol. 62, 1986): Kenya. Landings recording system for Lake Victoria which accounts for 70% of the total catch, considered unreliable. Increased catch recorded in 1986 largely due to improved coverage.
³ included in “Inland capture” if not specified
⁴ - = data not available
⁵ Vincke, 1989, pers.comm.

3.3 Inland catch range and potential yield

Table 4. INLAND CATCH RANGE AND POTENTIAL YIELD

¹ Source: see text “Water bodies directory”
² Source: Statistical Bulletin, Fisheries Dept., Govt. of Kenya
³ Source: Balarin, 1985a
⁴ see Note 2, Table 3

Total annual yield: using most recent data: 113 094 t (see also Table 3)

Potential annual yield: 34 600–90 800 t

4. STATE OF THE FISHERY
(mainly adapted and updated from Balarin, 1985a)

4.1 Yield

In 1986, 94.5% of the total landings originated from freshwater sources and 5.5% from marine fisheries. Lake Victoria produced 86.1% of this catch and Lake Turkana 6.1%. Other lakes and rivers contributed 2.3% only (based on 1986 Fisheries Statistical Bulletin, Kenya).

The increase in recent years in fishery landings are evident from Table 3. Until 1975, total catch remained below 30 000 t/yr but by 1981 the catch had doubled. It has increased even more dramatically in recent years. The upward trend represents a 28% per year increase in output but this has been primarily in the freshwater catch. Marine landings have remained static: between 4 000 and 7 000 t/yr.

The fisheries status has been reviewed on numerous occasions, notably by FAO/UNDP (1966), Fisheries Department (1977), FAO (1980a), KMFRI (1981) and more recently by Coche and Balarin (1982) and Balarin (1985a).

4.2 Factors influencing yield

The Lake Victoria fishery has been the subject of a detailed study by Coche and Balarin (1982), Zonneveld (1983) and Reynolds and Greboval (1988). Results indicate conflicting statistics.

It would appear that the recent increase in Lates niloticus stocks have defied all forms of yield evaluations, as reflected by the 1982 catch of 61 000 t. Of interest is the fact that smaller species (such as Haplochromis), liable to be consumed as prey, have almost disappeared from the landings (Coche and Balarin, 1982; see Tables 5 and 6 under “Lake Victoria” entry). It is suspected that stocks are being overfished. Concern over this has led the Fisheries Department to initiate a restocking programme; tilapias have been chosen as the most favoured candidate.

Lake Turkana, also reviewed in Coche and Balarin (1982), was the subject of a NORAD symposium (1983). Concern has been expressed over the downward trend in this fishery: down 57% in 1986 from a peak catch in 1976. Overfishing due to the limited mobility of fishermen, fishing of breeding grounds, climatic influences, and a change in fishermen structure have been implicated as reasons for drop in catches. A research programme to study the change, to restock the lake, and to initiate a deep-water fishery are to be assisted by NORAD. The originally estimated yields of 50 000–160 000 t/yr are now considered excessive; 20 000 t/yr is likely to be a more acceptable level.

The other lakes in Kenya are minor. Development of hydroelectric and irrigation schemes, especially along the Tana River, is likely to raise the fishery resources - but not to any significant level. Likely potentials are indicated in Table 1.

4.3 Future development possibilities

The estimates of maximum sustainable yields of Kenya's 10 000 km² of inland waters and 6 500 km² of fishable offshore waters generally lie between 81 000 and 305 000 t/yr, although estimates as low as 45 000 t/yr have also been advanced. The generally accepted estimate lies between 140 000 and 150 000 t/yr, split almost equally between freshwater and marine resources (Coche and Balarin, 1982). More recent estimates, however, suggest that marine reserves are considerably lower and the total likely yield may well be below 100 000 t/yr. If this should be the case, freshwater resources are fully exploited and there is small scope for expansion in the marine sector.

5. KEY BIBLIOGRAPHY

General: Balarin, 1985a
Lake Victoria: Reynolds & Greboval, 1988
Rift Valley Lakes: Burgis & Mavuti, 1987

6. WATER BODIES DIRECTORY

LAKE AMBOSELI
(International water)

LAKE BARINGO

Total annual catch and effort:
(Source: Statistical Bulletin, Fisheries Dept, Govt. of Kenya)

* (FAO/UNDP, 1966)

Potential annual yield:
2 500–3 500 t (FAO/UNDP, 1966)
1 500 t (Govt. of Kenya, 1979b)
   900 t (Welcomme, 1979a)

LAKE BOGORIA (= HANNINGTON)

LAKE CHALA
(International water)

* including Lake Jipe

LAKE ELEMENTEITA

LAKE JIPE
(International water)

Fisheries data
Total annual catch and effort (in Kenya)

* including Lake Chala
(a) Source: FAO/UNDP, 1966
(b) Source: Statistical Bulletin, Fisheries Dept., Govt. of Kenya

Potential annual yield:
100 t (Welcomme, 1979a)
300 t (FAO/UNDP, 1966)

LAKE KABONGO

LAKE KANYABOLI

LAKE KWENIA

LAKE LOGIPI (NAMAKAT)

LAKE MAGADI