Regional Fish Stock Assessment underway in Lake Tanganyika: Marking a Milestone for Lake Tanganyika’s Sustainable Fisheries
Kigoma, Tanzania – A landmark regional fish stock assessment has commenced on Lake Tanganyika, marking a major step forward in sustainable fisheries management and regional scientific collaboration.
The lake-wide survey, which began on 31 August 2025 and will run until 22 September, is being conducted by over 28 regional researchers and scientists collecting critical data on fish length and weight, water quality, geo-spatial distribution, hydro-acoustic signals, and catch assessments.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its FISH4ACP initiative, in collaboration with the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), Enabel, and the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), this exercise is the third major regional assessment of Lake Tanganyika’s fish stocks. The last comprehensive survey was conducted in the 1990s under the FAO-FINNIDA Lake Tanganyika Research Project (LTRP).
The 2025 assessment aims to generate robust scientific data to support sustainable fisheries management and strengthen collaboration among the lake’s riparian countries, Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It focuses on evaluating the abundance and spatial distribution of three major pelagic fish species, sardine, sprat, and perch, using hydroacoustic and length-based methods.
The exercise was preceded by a series of preparatory phases held from 18 to 27 August at the TAFIRI premises in Kigoma:
Training (18–22 August): Thirty-four (34) participants, including fisheries experts, technicians, captains, and fishers, were trained in hydroacoustic survey techniques, limnological and environmental data collection, geo-spatial mapping, and fish biometric analysis.
Planning (23–25 August): Teams finalized logistics for the lake-wide survey, ensuring cross-border coordination.
Instrument Calibration (26–27 August): FAO – FISH4ACP newly acquired CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) instrument, and transducer devices were calibrated alongside existing TAFIRI instruments to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
Dr. Ismael Kimirei, Director General of TAFIRI, described the assessment as a scientific milestone:
“This initiative strengthens our technical capacity and ensures that Lake Tanganyika’s resources are managed based on sound scientific evidence.”
Mr. Sylvain Tusanga, Executive Director of the Lake Tanganyika Authority, emphasized the importance of regional unity:
“Lake Tanganyika is shared by four countries. Its sustainable management requires joint action, and this assessment reflects our commitment to that goal.”
From Zambia, senior fisheries researcher Ceaser Katulwende expressed optimism:
“The hydroacoustic techniques we’ve learned will greatly enhance our ability to monitor fish stocks and promote regional data sharing.”
Mr. Hashim Muumin, FISH4ACP Coordinator for Tanzania, highlighted FAO’s strategic support: “This exercise is part of FAO’s Blue Transformation strategy. By investing in equipment, training, and collaboration, we’re laying the foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable fisheries development.”
Supported by FISH4ACP, an initiative of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) with funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the assessment complements efforts by PROFISHBLUE, which promotes fisheries management across 16 Southern African countries with support from the African Development Bank and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
As the lake-wide survey continues throughout September and the second phase of the wet season assessment is scheduled for early next year, stakeholders remain optimistic that by June, the collected data will guide the development of sustainable fisheries policies and support the long-term preservation of one of Africa’s most vital freshwater ecosystems.