With Lake Victoria’s stock levels questionable, EU imports of Nile perch fillets fell 38% from 2007 to 2012.

According to Eurostat data, in 2013, the EU imported 26 100 tonnes of Nile perch fillets, mainly from the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The United Republic of Tanzania was the main exporter of Nile perch fillets to the EU, exporting 12 400 tonnes (47.5% market share), followed by Uganda with 10 800 tonnes (41%) and Kenya with 2 900 tonnes (11%). Total EU imports of fillets in 2013 were down slightly by 12% in comparison with the previous year, but this is part of a longer-term more significant decline, as 2013 imports were 38% less when compared with 2008 volumes (42 300 tonnes).

In January 2013, the price of Nile perch fresh fillets is higher than that of its other freshwater competitors. German supermarket chain prices for fresh Nile perch fillets fluctuated between EUR 0.99 and 1.59 per 100 g, while the same amount for frozen fillet pangasius was EUR 0.49.

Production

In terms of production, in 2012, the total volume of Nile perch was 300 000 tonnes, an 11% decline when compared with 2007. Declining production from Uganda, the leading supplier, drove the production downhill, as the country supplied 36% less volume in 2012 than compared with 2007. However, in comparing other producing countries’ volume in 2012 with 2007, growth was seen in Kenya (11.5%), Nigeria (101%), Niger (32.4%) and Senegal (25.4%). The United Republic of Tanzania’s volume remained approximately flat.

There are currently 27 processing plants authorized for international exports of Nile perch, 14 in Uganda, 9 in the United Republic of Tanzania and 4 in Kenya. There are an estimated 70 000 small-scale boats for the fishery, which has increased notably by 40% since 2004.

Overfishing is one of the major contributors to the long-term decline in total Nile perch volume harvested. Experts from the Mauritius-based Indian Ocean Commission´s Smart Fish Programme point to the increasing numbers of unregulated fishermen and use of illegal fishing gear in Lake Victoria as contributing. The Commission warned that if urgent measures are not taken, Nile perch may be extinct in the next three to five years (Source: Daily News).

The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) has mandated that the legal size of Nile perch harvested be between 50–85 cm total length, which was agreed on and legislated by the three countries (Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda) in 2000. However, there has been no actual implementation or compliance by the countries until the industry decided to lead the process.

In terms of ongoing management, LVFO is continuing to involve a variety of stakeholders to move towards a sustainable co-management approach. The organization has established a number of management systems, such as Beach Management Units and self-monitoring teams from the Fish Processor Association to check for compliance at the factory level. In addition, there are monitoring, control and surveillance teams at the national level. Finally, there is a documented Nile Perch Fishery Management Plan in place, which is currently undergoing revision.

Of course, there are still many significant challenges to overcome, particularly in mitigating the catching and trading of juvenile fish. Unfortunately, there continues to be significant demand for undersized fish in the regional market. Furthermore, continuing demand for Nile perch in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda has lead to an increasing number of fishermen using illegal fishing nets to obtain larger volumes, which often times include juvenile fish. Most of these illegal nets are imported from India and China and some are calling on East African governments to cease importing banned nets while also improving monitoring and surveillance.

According to data from LVFO, 2 million small-scale fishermen, processing plant workers and traders depend on the Nile perch fishery. One way to support the sector could be in developing National Fisheries Improvement Projects, which have the potential to lead to improved market access and long-term sustainability. Such efforts will be particularly important when developing new markets in Asia, where demand for freshwater fish fillets is growing.

Ecolabeling schemes also provide potential ways to support the fishery. The project of GIZ/Naturland, which provided an ecolabel to promote the economic and social importance generated by the Lake Victoria fishery in the Buroka district, is an example of one such scheme. The label has been used by Anova Seafood in European markets since 2009 and in addition to promoting the economic and social importance of the fishery, promotes the fish as wild caught. The social side of this ecolabelling scheme has been very attractive to the small-scale fishers, and incentivizes them to participate in sustainable fishing.

Outlook

To ensure supplies of Nile perch for the future, it is vital that countries complete the revision of the Fishery Management Plan, develop National Fisheries Improvement Projects and explore possible ecolabeling strategies. In the long-term, farmed production of Nile perch may fill the gap in capture supplies. Uganda and ten other African countries have already begun drafting a policy that seeks to promote aquaculture, especially freshwater, and are working with the private sector to achieve these goals. In addition to playing an increased role in exports, farmed Nile perch could also bolster domestic food security and nutrition.