Lake Tanganyika is the world’s second largest lake by volume. Millions of people rely on the lake’s rich aquatic biodiversity reserves for food and income.
Today, two-thirds of catches are sold fresh in local markets, and smoked, dried or frozen for domestic consumption. One-third is exported to neighbouring countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.
However, post-harvest losses, climate change and poor fishing methods are threatening the future of fishing on the lake. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a further cause of declining yields.
FISH4ACP is supporting Tanzania to strengthen its position as a main producer of Lake Tanganyika sardine, sprat and perch. It promotes sustainably managed value chains, bolstering income and employment opportunities and contributing to the conservation of Lake Tanganyika's natural resources.
FISH4ACP works to increase incomes of small-scale fishers, processors and traders, particularly women, by investing in improved fish handling and processing methods and by upgrading business models to access high-value markets, while contributing to poverty reduction, food security and the conservation of natural resources.
Photos
Tanzania: making sardine, sprat and perch value chains stronger
22/12/2021
In Tanzania, FISH4ACP aims to strengthen and safeguard the sardine, sprat and perch value chains in Lake Tanganyika by investing in inclusive growth...
Videos
Scaling up solar drying
01/08/2025
FISH4ACP is working to scale up solar drying technology in the United Republic of Tanzania to help fish processers mitigate post-harvest losses, boost...
Stories
First fish stock assessment in 30 years underway on Lake Tanganyika
23/09/2025
A landmark fish stock assessment has begun on Lake Tanganyika, the first of its kind in nearly 30 years. Hailed as an example of regional scientific...
Publications
FISH4ACP United Republic of Tanzania
20/09/2022
Fact sheet on FISH4ACP work in supporting Tanzania to strengthen its position as a main producer of Lake Tanganyika sardine, sprat and perch.