1. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE (Welcomme, 1979a)
Burundi has a surface area of 27 830 km2. Most of the country consists of grassy uplands and hills reaching an altitude of 2 600 m. The Ruzizi Valley and the very narrow shores surrounding Lake Tanganyika in the west are somewhat lower in altitude.
Although it is situated just south of the equator, the upland temperatures of Burundi are low because of its altitude. The Ruzizi Valley and the shores of Lake Tanganyika are somewhat warmer. There is a short dry season in January; major rains occur from February to May. The major dry season lasts from May to September, and is followed by a second rainy spell.
Burundi is occupied by pastoral peoples who have settled the hills. There is also intensive agriculture; coffee is the main cash crop. There is some irrigated agriculture within the Ruzizi Valley, which involves heavy applications of pesticides.
2. HYDROGRAPHY
2.1 Lakes (see Fig. 1)
The largest body of water in Burundi is the northeastern corner of Lake Tanganyika. About 2 600 km2 of this lake lie within the boundaries of the country, representing about 8% of its total area. The lake is very deep and the shoreline plunges steeply downward. There are some small lakes (Upper Kagera* Lakes Complex) in the north of the country associated with the Akanyaru River. Largest of these are Lakes Cyohoha South and Rugwero, which are situated between Burundi and Rwanda. Three smaller lakes (Kazigiri, Lirwihindi and Kakamurindi) complete the series.
2.2 Rivers, Floodplains and Swamps (see Fig. 1)
There are no rivers in Burundi of major importance to fisheries. The Ruzizi River, which flows from Lake Kivu toward Lake Tanganyika, is relatively small and swift flowing. In the northern part of the country the tributaries of the Akanyaru River drain toward the Kagera in Rwanda and eventually Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
The main rivers are the Ruvubu (130 km in Burundi), the Kagera (border with Rwanda in the north), and the Malagarazi (border with Tanzania in the southeast), i.e., about 400 km in Burundi with a surface area of about 80 km2 (Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988).
There are a number of small floodplains and swamps in the north and southeast.
2.3 Reservoirs
There are three important reservoirs: Mugere (Province Bujumbura), Rwegura (Province Kayanza), and Ruhoha (Province Muyinga). Ruhoha Reservoir has been stocked with fish (Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988).
2.4 Coastal Lagoons
None; Burundi is landlocked.
3. FISHERY PRODUCTION/POTENTIAL
3.1 Aquaculture
The geography and the hydrological network are well suited to fish culture, although the water characteristics are rather poor (low pH: 5.5–6.5; low temperature; low conductivity: below 100 μ S/cm). Aquaculture was introduced in the 1950's (about 352 ponds), but almost abandoned in the 1960's. A recent Peace Corps project (USAID 1985–87) rehabilitated rural aquaculture (425 ponds for 848 ares).
Fish species:
Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis tanganicae,
Clarias sp. (Min. Agric. et Elevage/FAO, 1988; Corsi et al., 1986)
3.2 Fish production and per caput supply
Table 1. FISH PRODUCTION AND PER CAPUT SUPPLY - Burundi, 1970–1987
Nominal Domestic Production (excluding exports) (t) 2 | Nominal Consumer Supply (excluding imports and exports (kg/person) | ||||||
Year | Population '000 1 | Inland capture | Aquaculture 3 | Total | Inland capture | Aquaculture 3 | Total |
1970 | 3 456 | 13 300 | - 4 | 13 300 | 3.8 | - | 3.8 |
1971 | 3 513 | 16 900 | - | 16 900 | 4.8 | - | 4.8 |
1972 | 3 570 | 7 500 | - | 7 500 | 2.1 | - | 2.1 |
1973 | 3 628 | 8 500 | - | 8 500 | 2.3 | - | 2.3 |
1974 | 3 687 | 10 982 | - | 10 982 | 2.9 | - | 2.9 |
1975 | 3 747 | 14 547 | - | 14 547 | 3.9 | - | 3.9 |
1976 | 3 815 | 20 333 | - | 20 333 | 5.3 | - | 5.3 |
1977 | 3 884 | 18 900 | - | 18 900 | 4.8 | - | 4.8 |
1978 | 3 955 | 15 682 | - | 15 682 | 3.9 | - | 3.9 |
1979 | 4 027 | 11 250 | - | 11 250 | 2.8 | - | 2.8 |
1980 | 4 100 | 14 767 | - | 14 767 | 3.6 | - | 3.6 |
1981 | 4 217 | 6 880 | - | 6 880 | 1.6 | - | 1.6 |
1982 | 4 338 | 8 131 5 | - | 8 131 | 1.8 | - | 1.8 |
1983 | 4 462 | 6 359 5 | 7 6 | 6 366 | 1.4 | 0.001 | 1.4 |
1984 | 4 590 | 6 359 5 | 2 6 | 6 361 | 1.4 | 0.0004 | 1.4 |
1985 | 4 721 | 5 367 5 | 2 6 | 5 369 | 1.1 | 0.0004 | 1.1 |
1986 | 4 857 | 6 819 5 | 21 6 | 6 840 | 1.4 | 0.004 | 1.4 |
1987 | 4 998 | 4 984 5 | 25 6 | 5 009 | 1.0 | 0.005 | 1.0 |
1 Source: FAO
2 Source: FAO Fisheries Dept. FISHDAB, after Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Burundi
3 included in “Inland capture” if not specified
4 - = data not available
5 See also item 3.3 on page 32
6 Vincke, 1989 (pers.comm.)
Fig. 1. HYDROGRAPHY OF BURUNDI
(adapted from: J. Gahama, 1983)
3.3 Inland catch range and potential yield
Table 2. INLAND CATCH RANGE AND POTENTIAL YIELD
Water body | Period | Annual catch range (t) 1 | Potential annual yield (t) 1 |
Lake Cyohoha South | 1986 | 50 | 200 |
Lakes Ingitamo, Kacamurinda, Kanzigiri, and Lirwihinda | - | - | 100 |
Lake Rugwero (Rwero) | 1986 | 350–400 | 320–360 |
Lake Tanganyika | 1982–1988 | 13 600–16 000 | 16 000–23 000 |
Rivers Kagera, Malagarasi, Ruvubu, and Ruzizi | - | - | 320 |
Total | 1982–1988 | 14 000–16 450 | 16 940–23 980 |
1 Sources: Corsi et al., 1986; Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989; Min. Agric. Elevage/FAO, 1988.
Total annual yield: rounded, including estimation small lakes and rivers: 14 000–17 000 t | |||
Note: This estimate, based on the latest FAO field reports, is about 2 to 3 times higher than the official “Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Burundi” estimate, expressed under item 3.1 above. | |||
Potential annual yield: | |||
Lakes North (Kagera System) | 700 t | ||
Rivers | 320 t | ||
Lake Tanganyika: | 16 000–23 000 t | ||
Total Burundi (rounded) | 17 000–24 000 t | ||
Corsi et al., 1986: | 16 000–20 000 t |
4. STATE OF THE FISHERY
4.1 Yield
Practically all of the fish caught in Burundi come from Lake Tanganyika. Only a small amount of fish for local consumption are taken from the lakes in the north of the country. There are three main types of fishery on Lake Tanganyika: a “traditional fishery” operated from dug-out canoes using hand nets, seine nets and gill nets; a “small scale fishery” operating from catamarans using lift nets; and an “industrial fishery” operating from larger vessels using purse seines. The two latter categories and, to some extent, the first, fish for ‘Ndagala’ with light attraction. The “traditional fishery” also uses beach seines for small cichlids. Mainstay of the fisheries is the ‘Ndagala’, which consists of two species: Limnothrissa miodon, Stolothrissa tanganicae; and the “Mukeke”, Luciolates stappersii.
The FAO project for research into the lake fish stocks estimated that the mean sustainable yield from the lake fisheries would be about 17 000 t/yr; the present catch levels fluctuate around this level.
4.2 Factors influencing yield
The fishery in Lake Tanganyika concentrates on a stock of pelagic fish whose density probably depends on the concentrations elsewhere in the lake. At present Burundi (in the north) and Zambia (in the south) are the only areas of the lake where catches are approaching the maximum that can be predicted. By far the greater part of the lake is still exploited at a relatively low level. As exploitation increases generally, the Burundi catch may be affected.
The increase in the number of fishing units (catamarans and industrial vessels) in 1983 and 1984, together with the recent decrease of catches and the higher percentage of Ndagala caught, tends to show that the threshold to over-exploitation is close. Lake Cyohoha, with its poor plankton and fishing effort that does not pay (0.8 kg/day/fisherman), may also be at the maximum of its exploitation. Production in Lake Rugwero already reached the estimated potential yield.
4.3 Future development possibilities
As the Lake Tanganyika pelagic fishery is approaching maximum exploitation it is difficult to see that the production of freshwater fish in Burundi can be significantly increased. The northern lakes are small and seem already exploited at their maximum production. A study on Cyohoha Lake should be undertaken to evaluate fish stocks and actual yield potential. Higher fish supply in Burundi should be expected through the development of aquaculture.
5. KEY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Corsi et al., 1986
Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988.
6. WATER BODIES DIRECTORY
Lakes | ||
Cyohoha | Kanzigiri | Rungazi |
Ingitamo | Lirwihinda (Rwihinda) | Tanganyika |
Kacamurinda (Camirinda) | Rugwero | |
Rivers | ||
Kagera | Ruvubu | |
Malagarasi | Ruzizi |
LAKE CYOHOHA
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Location: | Rwanda, Burundi - 2° 20'–2° 35'S; 29°58'–30° 13'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Altitude: | 1 380 m |
Surface area: | 76 km2 (58 km2 in Burundi) (Kiss, 1977a) |
Depth: | 11 m (mean: 5.2 m) (Kiss, 1977a) |
Volume: | 395 × 106 m3 |
Max. length: | 32 km |
Max. width: | 2 km (Kiss, 1977a) |
Shoreline: | 227 km total; 167 km in Burundi (Kiss, 1977a) |
Note: | Lake Cyohoha is called “Cyohoha South” in Rwanda |
Physical and chemical data (Kiss, 1976a; 1977a) | ||
Conductivity: | K20 250–256 μ S/cm; 296 (surface); 319 (bottom) μ S/cm | |
pH: | 8.5–9.5 (surface); 7.2 (bottom) | |
Temperature: | 23–27°C (surface) | |
Ionic composition: | mg/l | |
Na | 25.75 | |
K | 9.55 | |
Ca | 9.0 | |
Mg | 10.85 | |
Cl | 4.30 | |
SiO2 | 5.05 | |
HCO3 | 152–171 (surface-bottom) |
Fisheries data | |
No. of fish species: | 7 (3 Oreochromis spp.; 2 Haplochromis spp.; 1 Synodontis sp.; 1 Clarias sp.) (Kiss, 1977a) |
No. of fishermen: | 20 in Burundi (Kiss, 1977a) |
50 in Burundi (100 in lake), part-time farmers/fishermen (Corsi et al., 1986) | |
Total annual catch: | 40 t in Burundi in 1975 (Kiss, 1977a) |
50 t in Burundi (Corsi et al., 1986) | |
Potential annual yield: | 200 t; limited due to poor phyto- and zoo-plankton (Corsi et al., 1986; Kiss, 1977a) |
LAKE INGITAMO
Geographical data | |
Location: | Burundi - 2°30'S; 30°01'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Surface area: | 0.7 km2 |
Max. length: | 1 km |
Max. width: | 1 km |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: 5 t (Corsi et al., 1986) |
LAKE KACAMURINDA (= CAMIRINDA)
Geographical data | |
Location: | Burundi - 2°27'S; 30°00'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Surface area: | 2.5 km2 |
Max. length: | 5 km |
Max. width: | 1.5 km |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | 18 t (Corsi et al., 1986) |
LAKE KANZIGIRI
Geographical data | |
Location: | Burundi - 2°27'S; 30°22'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Surface area: | 7.5 km2 |
Max. length: | 9.5 km |
Max. width: | 2 km |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | 53 t (Corsi et al., 1986) |
LAKE LIRWIHINDA (= RWIHINDA)
Geographical data | |
Location: | Burundi - 2°33'S; 30°05'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Surface area: | 3.4 km2 |
Max. length: | 4 km |
Max. width: | 1.5 km |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | 24 t (Corsi et al., 1986) |
LAKE RUGWERO
(International water)
Geographical data (Kiss, 1977a) | |
Location: | Rwanda, Burundi - 2°21'–2° 27'S; 30° 17'–30° 24'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Altitude: | 1 350 m |
Surface area: | 100 km2 (80 km2 in Burundi) |
Depth: | 3.9 m (max); 2.1 m (mean) |
Volume: | 210 × 106 m3 |
Max. length: | 18 km |
Max. width: | 14.5 km |
Shoreline: | 76 km |
Physical and chemical data (Kiss, 1977a) | ||
Conductivity: | K25 156 μ S/cm (surface); 158 μ S/cm (bottom) | |
pH: | 8.8 (surface); 7.5 (bottom) | |
Temperature: | 21.7–26.2° C | |
Oxygen: | saturation: 120–150% (surface); 70–90% (bottom) | |
Ionic composition: | mg/l | |
Na | 13.40 | |
K | 6.35 | |
Ca | 4.40 | |
Mg | 6.07 | |
Cl | 5.40 | |
SiO2 | 37.0 | |
HCO3-CO3 | 91.51 |
Fisheries data | ||
No. of fish species: | 17 in 4 families (Cichlidae, Cyprinidae, Clariidae, Mochokidae)* | |
No. of fishermen: | in Burundi: | 45 in 1975/76* |
in Lake: | 150 in 1975/76* | |
Total annual catch: | in Lake: | 300 t in 1976* |
350–400 t** | ||
Potential annual yield: | in Burundi: | 320–360 t** |
in Lake: | 400–450 t** | |
limited because of the lack of beaches for reproduction of cichlids, and former overfishing* | ||
Sources: | * Kiss, 1977a ** Corsi et al., 1986 |
LAKE RUNGAZI
Geographical data | |
Location: | Burundi - 2°32'S; 30°00'E (Upper Kagera Lakes Complex) |
Surface area: | about 0.5 km2 |
Fig. 2. LAKE TANGANYIKA
(Welcomme, 1972)
LAKE TANGANYIKA
(International water)
Geographical data (see Figs. 1 and 2) | |||
Location: | Burundi, Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia - 3° 20'–8° 50'S; 30° E; | ||
Altitude: | 773 m | ||
Surface area: | Burundi | 2 600 km2 | ( 8%) |
Tanzania | 13 500 km2 | (41%) | |
Zaire | 14 800 km2 | (45%) | |
Zambia | 2 000 km2 | ( 6%) | |
Total | 32 900 km2 | ||
Depth: | 1 435 m (max); 700 m (mean) | ||
Volume: | 18 940 km3 | ||
Max. length: | 673 km | ||
Max. width: | 48 km | ||
Shoreline: | 1 500 km total; 135 km in Burundi | ||
Catchment area: | 249 000 km2 | ||
Major inflowing river: | Malagarasi, Ruzizi | ||
Outflowing river: | Lukuga |
Physical and chemical data | |||
Conductivity: | K20 520–610 μ S/cm | ||
pH: | 7.3–7.8 | ||
Surface temperature: | 25° C | ||
Oxygen: | Oxygen limit: 80 m | ||
Photosynthetic production: | 0.8–1.1 gC/m2.day (Melack, 1976) | ||
Ionic composition: | (Talling & Talling, 1965) | ||
mg/l | |||
Na | 57.0 | ||
K | 35.0 | ||
Ca | 9.3 | ||
Mg | 43.3 | ||
Cl | 26.5 | ||
SO4 | 5.0 | ||
SiO2 | 0.38 | ||
HCO3+CO3 | 409.3 |
Fisheries data | ||
No. of fish species: | 214, of which 134 belong to the family Cichlidae (Greenwood, 1964) | |
Main catches: | ||
Clupeidae: | Stolothrissa tanganicae (Ndagala); Limnothrissa miodon | |
Centropomidae: | Lates spp. (3 sp.); Luciolates stappersi (Mukeke) | |
No. of fishermen: | in Burundi in 1988: estimated 6 000 (Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989) | |
No. of boats: | in Burundi in 1988 (Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989): | |
industrial fishing units | 17 | |
artisanal fishing units | 1 000 | |
coastal canoe fishing units | 50 |
Total annual catch and effort in Burundi waters:
Year | Total catch (t) | No. of boats |
1952 | 2 500 | - |
1953 | 3 000 | - |
1954 | 4 100 | - |
1955 | 5 482 | - |
1956 | 4 492 | - |
1957 | 7 541 | - |
1958 | 10 010 | - |
1959 | 10 220 | - |
1960 | 7 820 | 1 532 |
1961 | 5 210 | 1 525 |
1962 | 7 100 | 1 522 |
1963 | 10 500 | 1 434 |
1964 | 9 556 | 1 479 |
1965 | 20 207 | 1 848 |
1966 | 16 695 | 1 832 |
1967 | 13 520 | 1 853 |
1968 | 12 289 | 1 855 |
1969 | 16 181 | 1 897 |
1970 | 13 291 | 1 989 |
1971 | 16 895 | 1 990 |
1972 | 8 854 | 1 634 |
1973 | 9 396 | - |
1974 | 12 124 | - |
1975 | 14 778 | - |
1976 | 20 320 | - |
1977 | 24 050 | - |
1978 | 14 860 | - |
1979 | 11 249 | - |
1982 | 13 600 | (Corsi et al., 1986) |
1988 | 16 000 | (Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989) |
Total annual catch and effort in total Lake:
1982 | 1988 | ||
(Corsi et al., 1986) | (Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989) | ||
Burundi | 13 600 | 16 000 | |
Tanzania | 25 000 | 25 000 | |
Zaire | 30 000 | 30 000 | |
Zambia | 10 500 | 14 000 | |
Total | 80 000 | 85 000 |
Potential annual yield:
(Corsi et al., 1986) | (Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989) | ||
(t) | (max. t) | ||
Burundi | 21 000 | 23 000 | |
Tanzania | 122 000 | 121 000 | |
Zaire | 135 000 | 133 000 | |
Zambia | 19 000 | 18 000 | |
Total | 300 000 (90 kg/ha) | 295 000 |
KAGERA RIVER
(also called AKAGERA RIVER)
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | Burundi/Rwanda |
Total length: | 785 km |
Countries traversed: | Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda |
Major tributaries: | Akanyaru (Burundi, Rwanda), Nyabarongo (Rwanda) |
Discharges to: | Lake Victoria |
Special features: | ||
(1) | Upper Kagera Lakes Complex: a group of lakes distributed as follows: | |
in Burundi: | Ingitamo, Kacamurinda, Kanzigiri, Lirwihinda, Rungazi; | |
in Rwanda: | Birira, Gaharwa, Gashanga, Kidogo, Kirimbi, Mirayi, Mugesera, Muhazi, Murago, Sake; | |
international waters (Burundi/Rwanda): Cyohoha South, Rugwero. | ||
(2) | Rusuma Falls: | in Rwanda |
(3) | Lower Kagera Lakes Complex and Floodplain/Swamp: a group of lakes and adjacent floodplain/swamp. Lakes distributed as follows: | |
in Rwanda: | Chuju, Hago, Ihema, Iwapibali, Kishanja, Kivumba, Mihindi, Muhari, Nasho, Ngerenke, Rukira, Rwakibare, Rwampanga, Rwanyaki Zinga, Rwehikama, Sekena; | |
in Tanzania: | Bisongo, Kajumbura, Lwelo, Mujunju, Rushwa. | |
Floodplain/swamp area in Rwanda is circa 1 000 km2. |
Physical and chemical data (Kiss, 1977a) | |||
Conductivity: | K25 111 μ S/cm | ||
pH: | 7.01 | ||
Ionic composition: | mg/l | ||
Na | 4.1 | ||
K | 1.0 | ||
Ca | 4.6 | ||
Mg | 4.9 | ||
Cl | 7.4 | ||
HCO3-CO3 | 42.7 | ||
Fe++ | 0.3 | ||
Fisheries data | |||
Potential annual yield: | |||
320 t in Burundi for all rivers: estimate based on rivers water surface area of 80 km2 (Min. de l'Agric. et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988) and on a productivity of 40 kg/ha. |
MALAGARASI RIVER
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | along Tanzania/Burundi frontier |
Altitude: | 1 859 m |
Total length: | 470 km (110 km along Tanzania/Burundi frontier); Ugalla tributary is 495 km |
Drainage area: | 131 572 km2 |
(126 133 km2 in Tanzania; 5 439 km2 in Burundi) | |
Countries traversed: | Tanzania, Burundi |
Major tributaries: | Ugalla, Luanga |
Discharges to: | Lake Tanganyika - 5°13'S; 29°49'E |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | |
All rivers in Burundi: 320 t: estimate based on rivers water surface area of 80 km2 (Min. de l'Agric. et de l'Elevage/ FAO, 1988) and on a productivity of 40 kg/ha. |
RUVUBU RIVER
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | Burundi |
Length: | 130 km in Burundi |
Countries traversed: | Burundi, Tanzania |
Discharges to: | Kagera River |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | |
All rivers in Burundi: 320 t: estimate based on rivers water surface area of 80 km2 (Min. de l'Agric. et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988) and on a productivity of 40 kg/ha. |
RUZIZI RIVER
(International water)
Geographical data | ||||
Source: | Lake Kivu | |||
Countries traversed: | Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire | |||
Discharges to: | Lake Tanganyika in Burundi | |||
Physical and chemical data | ||||
Conductivity: | upper course, K18 1 190 μ S/cm | |||
lower course, K18 828 μ S/cm | ||||
Ionic composition: | (Beauchamp, 1939) | (Dubois, 1958) | ||
mg/l | mg/l | |||
Na | 94.8 | 98.0 | ||
K | 63.0 | 74.0 | ||
Ca | 8.4 | 8.5 | ||
Mg | 67.0 | 101.6 | ||
Cl | 23.8 | 16.6 | ||
SO4 | 17.8 | 9.0 | ||
SiO2 | 9.0–9.8 | 8.0 | ||
HCO3+CO3 | 638.1 | 585.6 | ||
Fisheries data | ||||
Potential annual yield: | ||||
All rivers in Burundi: 320 t: estimate based on rivers water surface area of 80 km2 (Min. de l'Agric. et de l'Elevage/FAO, 1988) and on a productivity of 40 kg/ha. |
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beauchamp, 1939
Corsi, Dunn & Felicioni, 1986
Dubois, 1958
Grahama, 1983
Greenwood, 1964
Kiss, 1976a; 1977a
Melack, 1976
Mikkola & Lindquist, 1989
Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Republique du Burundi/FAO, 1988
Talling & Talling, 1965
Welcomme, 1972; 1979a
1. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE (Welcomme, 1979a)
Central African Republic has a surface area of 622 980 km2. Essentially a well-watered plateau, the uplands (circa 1 500 m altitude) serve as a watershed dividing the Chari Basin from that of the Oubangui/Zaire. Most of the country is open savanna tending to become more arid toward the north. There is some rain forest in the extreme southwest and semi-desert in the northeast.
The climate is fairly consistent over most of the country with rains well dispersed throughout the year. There is, however, a drier period from December through April and a wetter period from May through October.
The Central African Republic has an entirely agricultural economy with a largely rural population, most of which is concentrated in the south of the country. There are large tracts of wild and uninhabited land.
2. HYDROGRAPHY (see Figure 1)
2.1 Lakes
There is one medium-sized lake in the North (Lake Mamoun). Small lakes are abundant on the floodplains of the larger rivers.
2.2 Rivers, Floodplains and Swamps (Welcomme, 1979a)
The Central African Republic is divided into two main watersheds:
To the south there is the Zaire Basin, where the Oubangui (together with its headstream, the Mbomou) forms the southern border of the country for over 1 000 km, and is fed by numerous small rivers. The Mambere drains into the Sangha River, which also feeds the Zaire River.
To the north two main blocks of rivers flow toward the Chari River. In the northeast there is the Bahr Aouk and in the northwest the Bamingui and Ouham.
Extensive floodplains (circa 30 000 km2) are developed in both blocks.
2.3 Reservoirs
There are several small dams in the country, some (i.e. Boukoko and Baoro) reaching an area of several hectares.
2.4 Coastal Lagoons
There are no coastal lagoons; the country is landlocked.
3. FISHERY PRODUCTION/POTENTIAL
3.1 Aquaculture (Deceuninck, 1985; Vincke, 1989 pers.comm.)
Aquaculture was introduced in Central African Republic in 1952 and reached its maximum development in 1958 (12 000 to 20 000 ponds), before decreasing in the 1960's. Aquaculture rehabilitation started in 1968 with FAO/UNDP regional project, followed by other projects. In 1984, about 8 500 fishfarmers were exploiting some 10 000 ponds for a total area of 127 ha (see Table 1) (Deceuninck, 1985). Aquaculture production started decreasing again in 1985 (Vincke, 1989, pers.comm.). Aquaculture yield potential is estimated at 3 500 t/yr.
Table 1. EVOLUTION OF AQUACULTURE, Central African Republic, 1974–1984
(after Deceuninck, 1985)
1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | |
No. fishfarmers | 167 | 698 | 1 272 | 1 634 | 1 974 | 3 275 | 4 313 | 6 483 | 6 882 | 8 500 | 8 500 |
No. ponds | 273 | 910 | 1 533 | 2 086 | 2 588 | 4 236 | 6 600 | 7 845 | 8 500 | 10 000 | 10 000 |
No. ponds in activity | - | 531 | 1 022 | 1 045 | 1 380 | 3 083 | 4 725 | 6 210 | 6 349 | 7 069 | 7 794 |
Surface area ponds, ares | 440 | 1 596 | 2 159 | 3 014 | 3 815 | 5 368 | 8 580 | 9 277 | 9 848 | 13 600 | 16 300 |
Surface area ponds in activity, ares | - | 1 083 | 1 351 | 1 452 | 2 205 | 3 474 | 6 409 | 8 231 | 7 576 | 9 613 | 12 704 |
Mean production, kg/are/yr | (12) | 22.8 | 18.2 | 20.8 | (20.8) | 19.2 | (12.5) | 16 4 | 20 | 21.2 | 21.2 |
Estimation total production aquaculture (t) | (5) | 24.7 | 24.6 | 30.2 | 45.8 | 66.7 | (80) | 103.6 | 150 | 203.8 | 269 |
Main fish species raised:
Oreochromis niloticus (190 t in 1986);
Clarias gariepinus (C.lazera) (3 t in 1986);
Heterotis niloticus.
Evolution of Rural Aquaculture, 1984–1988
(cited by Janssen, 1989)
Dec. 1984 | Sept. 1988 | |
No. Fish Farmers | 5 692 | 1 982 |
No. ponds in production | 8 019 | 3 090 |
3.2 Fish Production and per caput Supply
Table 2. FISH PRODUCTION - Central African Republic, 1970–1987
Nominal Domestic Production (excluding exports) (t) | Nominal Consumer Supply (excluding imports and exports (kg/person) | ||||||
Year | Population '000 1 | Inland capture 2 | Aquaculture 3 | Total | Inland capture | Aquaculture 3 | Total |
1970 | 1 875 | 9 700 | - | 9 700 | 5.2 | - | 5.2 |
1971 | 1 910 | 9 040 | - | 9 040 | 4.7 | - | 4.7 |
1972 | 1 946 | 11 300 | - | 11 300 | 5.8 | - | 5.8 |
1973 | 1 982 | 11 300 | - | 11 300 | 5.7 | - | 5.7 |
1974 | 2 019 | 11 300 | 5 4 | 11 300 | 5.7 | 0.002 | 5.6 |
1975 | 2 057 | 11 515 | 25 4 | 11 540 | 5.6 | 0.01 | 5.6 |
1976 | 2 103 | 10 000 | 25 4 | 10 025 | 4.7 | 0.01 | 4.7 |
1977 | 2 150 | 10 000 | 30 4 | 10 030 | 4.6 | 0.01 | 4.6 |
1978 | 2 198 | 10 000 | 46 4 | 10 046 | 4.5 | 0.02 | 4.5 |
1979 | 2 248 | 10 000 | 67 4 | 10 067 | 4.4 | 0.03 | 4.5 |
1980 | 2 298 | 10 000 | 80 4 | 10 080 | 4.3 | 0.03 | 4.4 |
1981 | 2 351 | 6 800 | 104 4 | 6 904 | 2.9 | 0.04 | 2.9 |
1982 | 2 405 | 5 800 | 105 5 | 5 905 | 2.4 | 0.04 | 2.4 |
1983 | 2 461 | 3 600 | 232 5 | 3 832 | 1.5 | 0.09 | 1.6 |
1984 | 2 518 | 6 600 | 309 5 | 6 909 | 2.6 | 0.12 | 2.7 |
1985 | 2 576 | 8 800 | 288 5 | 9 088 | 3.4 | 0.11 | 3.5 |
1986 | 2 639 | 8 800 | 193 5 | 8 993 | 3.3 | 0.07 | 3.4 |
1987 | 2 704 | 8 800 | 88 5 | 8 888 | 3.2 | 0.03 | 3.3 |
1 Source: FAO
2 Sources: FAO Fisheries Department FISHDAB
Department “Forêts Chasses et Pêches”, C.A.R. Forêts Chasses et Pêches/PNUD/FAO Report, 1985 PNUD/FAO Report, 1982
3 included in “Inland Capture” if not specified
4 Deceuninck, 1985
5 Vincke, M., 1989, (pers.comm.)
3.3 Inland catch range and potential yield
Table 3. INLAND CATCH RANGE AND POTENTIAL YIELD
Water body | Period | Annual catch range (t) | Potential annual yield (t) |
Lake Mamoun, Bahr Aouk River, Bahr Kameur River, Ouham River | 1983–1985 | (1 800–10 000) 6 000 | (18 000–30 000) 24 000 |
Kotto & Sangha Rivers | - | - | - * |
Ubangi & Mbomou Rivers | 1975 | 1 800 | - * |
Other water bodies | - | - | 5 000 ** |
* included in “Other water bodies”
** rough estimate
Total annual yield: | from | 3 600 t (in case of drought: 1983) |
to | 12 000 t (Deceuninck, 1985) | |
Potential annual yield: | from | 23 000 t (low flood years) |
to | 35 000 t (high flood years); | |
29 000 t (mean). | ||
3 500 t (aquaculture). | ||
Sources: see text “Water Bodies Directory”. |
4. STATE OF THE FISHERY (mainly after Welcomme, 1979a)
4.1 Yield
The nominal catch is approximately 10 000 t, about 80% of which originates from the northern floodplain. There is a small but significant yield from aquaculture which is now widely spread in the south of the country.
4.2 Factors influencing yield
The rivers of the Oubangui Basin are reputedly not very productive. They have no true floodplain and their fisheries are unable to meet the demand for fish in Bangui. The northern floodplains are quite productive and could produce substantially more fish. They are, however, far from the main centres of population and are badly served by roads. Furthermore, they are subject to fluctuating rainfall and were severely affected by the 1981–1984 Sahelian drought. Another constraint is the shortage of fishing equipment.
4.3 Future development possibilities
Inland fisheries should increase in importance in the Central African Republic over the next few years. The productivity of the northern floodplains may be realized to a greater extent and aquaculture could eventually make a significant contribution to the total catch (aquaculture potential annual yield: 3 500 t with the existing ponds).
5. KEY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Deceuninck, 1985
Fig. 1. FISHERY MAP OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
(Vennetier et al., 1984)
6. WATER BODIES DIRECTORY
Lakes | |
Mamoun | |
Rivers and Floodplains | |
Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain | Ouham River and Floodplain |
Bahr Kameur River and Floodplain | Sangha River |
Kotto River | Ubangi/Oubangui River |
Reservoirs | |
Baoro | |
Boukoko |
LAKE MAMOUN
Geographical data | |
Location: | Northern Central African Republic - 10°7'N; 21°55'E |
Altitude: | 430 m asl |
Max.length: | 14 km |
Max.width: | 4 km |
Major inflowing river: | lateral spillage from Bahr Kameur River |
Outflowing river: | none; landlocked |
Special feature: | Non-permanent lake; may dry up during dry season; included in Bahr Kameur floodplain. |
Fisheries data | |
Potential annual yield: | See “Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain” below. |
BAHR AOUK RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | Extreme southeastern Chad |
Altitude: | 749 m asl |
Total length: | 620 km |
Countries traversed: | Chad, Central African Republic |
Major tributaries: | Bahr Kameur |
Discharges to: | Unites with the Bamingui to form the Chari |
Special features: | Extensive floodplain (area of 370 000 km2 in Central African Republic) dotted with numerous small lakes. This floodplain is developed jointly with the Salamat River in Chad. |
Fisheries data | |
No. of fishermen: | (PNUD/FAO, 1982) |
Professional: Bahr Aouk: 350; Vakaga: 300 | |
Part-time (dry season only): circa 1 500. | |
Total annual catch: | In the Central African Republic the composite catch from the Bahr Aouk, the Bahr Kameur, the Ouham and their tributaries and floodplains varies from 1 800 t (during the drought of 1983) to 10 000 t (Deceuninck, 1985), with an average of 6 000 t. |
Potential annual yield: | (PNUD/FAO, 1982) |
Rivers Bahr Aouk, Ouham, Bahr Kameur, Vakaga and associated floodplains: | |
from 23 000 t (low flood years = 6 000 km2, 30 kg/ha/yr); | |
to 30 000 t (high flood years = 10 000 km2, 30 kg/ha/yr); | |
mean 24 000 t (mean flood years = 8 000 km2, 30 kg/ha/yr). |
BAHR KAMEUR RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN
Geographical data | |
Source: | Extreme northeastern Central African Republic |
Altitude: | 1 330 m asl |
Total length: | 525 km |
Countries traversed: | Central African Republic |
Major tributaries: | Gounda, Vakaga, Ouandjia, Bar Oulou, Yata |
Discharges to: | Bahr Aouk River |
Special features: | Possesses floodplains along much of its length and its tributaries. Supplies water to Lake Mamoun. |
Fisheries data | |
Total annual catch: | See “Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain” |
Potential annual yield: | See “Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain” |
KOTTO RIVER
Geographical data | |
Source: | Chaîne des Mongos Mountains, northeast Central African Republic |
Altitude: | 1 190 m asl |
Total length: | 730 km |
Drainage area: | 78 400 km2 |
Countries traversed: | Central African Republic |
Major tributaries: | Bongou, Dja, Pipi |
Discharges to: | Ubangi River |
Volume of discharge at mouth: 136–928 m3/sec (mean monthly); 1 500 m3/sec (max) | |
Flood regime: | peak floods in September-October |
OUHAM RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | Karre Mountains, western Central African Republic |
Altitude: | 1 220 m asl |
Total length: | 790 km |
Countries traversed: | Central African Republic, Chad |
Major tributaries: | Bobo, Nanna Bakassa |
Discharges to: | Chari |
Special features: | lateral floodplain with numerous small lakes along lower 160 km |
Fisheries data | |
Total annual catch: | See “Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain” |
Potential annual yield: | See “Bahr Aouk River and Floodplain” |
SANGHA RIVER
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | Karre Mountians, western Central African Republic |
Total length: | 1 000 km |
Countries traversed: | Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic |
Major tributaries: | Likuala, Ekela and Dja Rivers |
Discharges to: | Zaire/Congo River |
Volume of discharge at mouth: 700–4 300 m3/sec |
UBANGI/OUBANGUI RIVER
(International water)
Geographical data | |
Source: | The Ubangi River is formed by the confluence of the Uèlè and Bomu Rivers at Yakoma. The Uèlè rises in the mountains near Lake Albert; the Bomu has its source on the frontier between Sudan, Central African Republic and Zaire. |
Total length: | Mbomou/Bomu 710 km (Zaire, Central African Republic) |
Uèlè 1 210 km (Zaire) | |
Ubangi 1 060 km (Congo, Central African Republic, Zaire) | |
The longest continuous course is Uèlè + Ubangi: 2 270 km. | |
Drainage area: | 772 800 km2 |
Countries traversed: | Congo, Central African Republic, Zaire |
Major tributaries: | Kotto, Ouaka, Mbori, Chinko |
Discharges to: | Congo/Zaire at Liranga |
Flood regime: | August to December, maximum in October (unimodal); low in March-April. |
Flow: | at Bangui: 800 m3/sec to 11 000 m3/sec; mean: 4 000 m3/sec. |
Level variation: | 9 m (max); 5.5 m (mean) |
Physical and chemical data (Micha, 1973) | |
Conductivity: | 19.5–56 μ S/cm |
pH: | 6.2–6.9 |
Oxygen: | mean at Bangui: 6 mg/l, 75% saturation |
Fisheries data | |
No. of species: | 233 in 25 families (Gosse, 1968; Micha, 1973) |
Total annual catch: | Ubangi River in Central African Republic: 1 800 t (1975) |
BAORO RESERVOIR
Geographical data | |
Location: | Central African Republic |
BOUKOKO RESERVOIR
Geographical data | |
Location: | Central African Republic |
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Deceuninck, 1985
Dèpartement Forêts, Chasses et Pêches - RCA/PNUD/FAO, 1985
Gosse, 1968
Janssen, 1989
Micha, 1973
PNUD/FAO, 1982
Vennetier et al., 1984
Welccomme, 1979a
1. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Comoros (with a surface area of 2 170 km2) consists of 3 main islands and several smaller ones, all of volcanic origin. The islands are variable in topography and include heavily forested hilly terrain, plateaus, lava fields and coastal lowlands.
There is a hot humid monsoon season (November to April) and a drier cooler season (May to October). Cyclones and tidal waves are frequent during the summer.
The economy is almost entirely based on agriculture.
2. HYDROGRAPHY
2.1 Lakes
There are two small permanent lakes on Anjouan Island.
2.2 Rivers, Floodplains and Swamps
There are a few short streams.
2.3 Reservoirs
There are no impoundments.
2.4 Coastal Lagoons
There are no coastal lagoons.
3. FISHERY PRODUCTION/POTENTIAL
3.1 Aquaculture
There is no aquaculture in Comoros (Vincke, 1989, pers. comm.)
3.2 Fish production and per caput supply (see Table 1)
3.3 Inland catch range and potential yield: none
4. STATE OF THE FISHERY
4.1 Yield
There is no significant inland fishery yield of any kind.
4.2 Factors influencing yield
The lack of significant inland water resources.
4.3 Future development possibilities
In view of the large marine potential and lack of inland waters, no inland fishery is likely to develop in the foreseeable future.
Table 1. FISH PRODUCTION AND PER CAPUT SUPPLY - Comoros, 1970–1987
Nominal Production (t) 2 | Nominal Consumer Supply (kg/person) | ||||||||
Year | Population '000 1 | Inland capture (none) | Aquaculture (none) | Marine capture | Total | Inland capture (none) | Aquaculture (none) | Marine capture | Total |
1970 | 271 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 7.4 | 7.4 | ||||
1971 | 281 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 7.1 | 7.1 | ||||
1972 | 290 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 6.9 | 6.9 | ||||
1973 | 300 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 6.6 | 6.6 | ||||
1974 | 311 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 6.4 | 6.4 | ||||
1975 | 322 | 3 850 | 3 850 | 11.9 | 11.9 | ||||
1976 | 333 | 3 500 | 3 500 | 10.5 | 10.5 | ||||
1977 | 344 | 4 000 | 4 000 | 11.6 | 11.6 | ||||
1978 | 356 | 4 000 | 4 000 | 11.2 | 11.2 | ||||
1979 | 368 | 4 100 | 4 100 | 11.1 | 11.1 | ||||
1980 | 381 | 4 200 | 4 200 | 11.0 | 11.0 | ||||
1981 | 393 | 4 400 | 4 400 | 11.2 | 11.2 | ||||
1982 | 405 | 4 600 | 4 600 | 11.3 | 11.3 | ||||
1983 | 418 | 4 800 | 4 800 | 11.5 | 11.5 | ||||
1984 | 431 | 5 000 | 5 000 | 11.6 | 11.6 | ||||
1985 | 444 | 5 200 | 5 200 | 11.7 | 11.7 | ||||
1986 | 458 | 5 250 | 5 250 | 11.5 | 11.5 | ||||
1987 | 472 | 5 250 | 5 250 | 11.1 | 11.1 |
1 Source: FAO
2 Source: FAO Fisheries Department FISHDAB